The synthetic production of content and the progressive integration of algorithmic systems in editorial processes outline a structural transformation of the way in which public knowledge is generated, distributed and legitimized, with justified alarms regarding the alteration of the cognitive process and progressive distrust towards sources whose authority one ends up doubting, giving in to an increasingly rampant disintermediation – completely devoid of ethics – which, behind the appearance of immediacy and freedom of expression, however hides very serious threats to personal rights.
And it is precisely on this increasingly subtle border that the training course “Journalism and artificial intelligence: ethical and professional challenges between humanism, rights and technology” was held at the Polo Papardo Unime, included in the program of the Sud Innovation Summit 2025. The initiative, promoted by the Order of Journalists of Sicily in collaboration with Società Editrice Sud – Gazzetta del Sud Giornale di Sicilia, main media partner for Southern Italy Summit, and with the ALuMnime association, brought together academics and information professionals for a dense and multidisciplinary discussion, moderated by the journalist Natalia La Rosa, head of the GDS Academy of Società Editrice Sud, who wanted to contribute with professional ethical updating to the contents of the third edition of the SIS, involving – alongside colleagues and colleagues registered with the Order – also school students (two classes of the Liceo Maurolico di Messina) and the University, with UniMe GDS Lab and the student newspaper UniVersoMe.
At the opening of the event, the unanimous message of solidarity with the Report journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, who had suffered an arson attack the previous night, with the destruction of the cars parked under his home.
The proceedings were introduced by greetings from the president and editorial director of SES Lino Morgante, with a video message from the printing center which daily takes care of the production of ten newspapers in the two presses in Messina, the two local ones of the Group and eight other national ones spread across Sicily and Calabria, with an important contribution to the plurality of information and technological implementation in the publishing sector. Connecting remotely, Nino Rizzo Nervo, editor-in-chief of Gazzetta del Sud, underlined the need for an ethical governance model in the use of AI, aimed at “defending and guaranteeing the rights of the reader”. The need for a balance between technological innovation and protection of the founding values of the journalistic profession has emerged from many voices. Concetto Mannisi, president of the Order of Journalists of Sicily, reiterated the irreplaceability of human judgment, stating that it would be illogical to think of replacing “the journalist who has a heart, a soul, his own intelligence”.
Roberto Ruggeri, creator of the Summit, expressed appreciation for the contribution given to the contents of the event with the journalistic training course, while Valentina Prudente, UniMe teacher and vice-president of AluMnime, applauded the collaboration with Ses by explaining the aims of the association of UniMe alumni and students, which brings together different professionals united by the values of the University. The importance of updating and using technology based on responsibility and critical sense were underlined by Serafino Sorrenti, head of the technical secretariat of the Undersecretary for Innovation, who sent a greeting message.
Scorza: AI synthesis obscures journalistic source
The intervention of Guido Scorza, member of the Guarantor for the protection of personal data, was severe, denouncing the inadequacy of the current regulatory architectures in governing AI and defending professional contents, urging a self-critical reflection on the part of the supervisory authorities, who are late in developing effective tools to contain a phenomenon that “is overwhelming every barrier to protect rights and freedoms”. Scorza also pointed the finger at the training of algorithms through professional journalistic content, in a system that leads the user to access summaries generated by AI while completely obscuring the sources. He then raised the alarm that “algorithms know us much better than we know them.”
Ghelfi: the “on the road” profession and the duty of verification
Luciano Ghelfi, quirinalist of Tg2, connected from the Rai press room at the Quirinale, outlined the cornerstones of the journalistic profession. In his appreciated speech, he started from the story of his very long experience in public service following the Head of State, in his countless events and trips, highlighting how this element, the “presence in the field”, also makes the difference by consolidating the indispensable relationship of trust with the public, who in any case must always ask themselves the origin of what they see. Ghelfi underlined the specificity of the journalist’s task, who has the duty to verify and guarantee the reliability of what he signs, then underlining how the use of social media must also be consistent with the role of the information professional. In conclusion, the mention of the disturbing scenarios outlined by the very recent evolution of Gen AI, which can produce entirely invented videos with the faces of really existing people.
Caruso: AI can support but not replace and must be declared
Tiziana Caruso, journalist from the digital editorial team of Gazzetta del Sud and councilor of the Order of Journalists of Sicily, illustrated the many challenges linked to the advent of AI and the initiatives to defend authenticity in the information sector. Among these, the establishment of a regional commission against the abusive exercise of the profession and the development of two key documents: the new code of ethics for journalists, with particular attention to article 19, and the Bolzano Charter, which introduces the principle of the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the concept of the “last mile”, with the principle of responsibility in editorial processes, underlining how AI can support, but not replace, discernment human. The use of generative systems, he specified, must be declared, traceable and under the control of the professional, who remains responsible for the published contents. Caruso offered a comparative framework on the adoption of AI at a global level, highlighting Italy’s delay which – compared to developing countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom and Israel – is in twenty-eighth place for digital skills. In Italian journalism there is an increasing use of it, sometimes improperly, but – he reiterated – only a culture aware of AI will be able to transform it from a threat to a resource, strengthening the quality and credibility of the journalist.
Pollicino: regulate not to harass, but to protect rights
Remotely, Oreste Pollicino, professor of AI Regulation at Bocconi University and one of the most authoritative international scholars in the field of the protection of fundamental rights online, highlighted the training requirement introduced by the European AI Act, in force since last February, for all public and private entities that use AI-based technologies. A legal constraint that should be interpreted not only in terms of taxation, but as an opportunity to build an aware and competent digital ecosystem. The Messina jurist also spoke at another SIS panel, with Carlo Rossi Chauvenet, reiterating how AI governance is not limited to regulation or compliance, but requires a system of distributed responsibilities that translate into effective decision-making practices, placing innovation within a framework of rights protection. And this – remarked Pollicino – is even more important in the south, where regulated innovation takes on a strategic value in terms of cohesion, skills, sustainability and trust in the protection of rights.
La Rosa: the new law punishes deep fakes, but it is not enough
Emanuele La Rosa, UniMe criminal law associate, drew attention to the issue of information manipulation, distinguishing between fake news and deepfake, and raising doubts about the effectiveness of the criminal instrument in combating disinformation. He analyzed the legal implications of the use of AI in information, in particular in combating fake news and deepfakes. He recalled law n.132/2025 and the new art. 612-quater of the Criminal Code, which sanctions the illicit dissemination of content generated or altered through AI, when it is disseminated without consent and produces unjust damage. La Rosa highlighted the need for a system of shared responsibility involving journalists, institutions and digital platforms. Finally, he reminded journalists of their responsibility to guarantee the truth of information, the only way to preserve their function and, consequently, the stability of the democratic system.
Farrier: cultivate authenticity and doubt
In closing, Luca Maniscalco, marketing and communication manager of the UniMi Foundation, offered a broad analysis, highlighting how the rapid evolution of AI technology makes it difficult to precisely outline future developments, in particular on an ethical, legal and therefore professional level. A contingency characterized by a climate of uncertainty that requires authority and a reputation to be built with authenticity, online and offline, to strengthen public trust and the credibility of the content. Maniscalchi, a freelance journalist, will be among the guests of the next EsserCi volunteering festival promoted by Cesv in Messina, and concluded with a hymn to “doubt”, that is, to a journalistic exposition far from the false “controversiability” of many algorithmic answers, but authentically “human”.