Journalism without journalists Operational and AI-generated content analysis in the first comprehensive synthetic media
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Artificial intelligence is driving a new generation of media managed primarily by algorithms, characterised by operational autonomy and minimal human oversight. This article examines the phenomenon of so-called synthetic media, analysing the operating model, impact and ethical and technological challenges of the first and only two comprehensive synthetic media: Intar Radio and NewsGPT. The research is based on in-depth interviews with the managers of both initiatives, on the qualitative analysis of their platforms, content generated and corporate communications. The results reveal an emerging ecosystem that combines technological innovation with commercial strategies aimed at specific audience niches. These media operate predominantly autonomously, using advanced AI tools for content production and distribution, although they face barriers such as the limited quality of synthetic voices, associated ethical challenges and public acceptance. The main conclusion highlights that synthetic media do not seek to replace or compete directly with traditional models, but rather to fill specific market niches, meeting specific content demands and offering complementary services that diversify the media ecosystem.
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