By Raylenne Kambua
Kenyan newsrooms are undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Where journalists once relied heavily on manual processes such as hours spent transcribing interviews, developing story structures and editorials from scratch, sorting through piles of documents, and designing visuals from scratch, today’s media landscape demands speed, accuracy, creativity, and digital fluency. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept but a fast becoming a critical tool for newsrooms to survive and thrive.
Across all media categories, from community media stations to large national newsrooms, AI is reshaping how stories are researched, produced, and shared with audiences. However, for this transformation to be ethical, inclusive, and impactful, journalists must be equipped with the right skills. This is where targeted capacity‑building becomes essential.
IAWRT‑Kenya, remains committed to supporting this shift through their ongoing training on the use of AI and digital tools, currently empowering over 40 female journalists across Kenya to confidently navigate and shape the future of journalism.
Why AI Matters in Today’s Newsrooms
The modern newsroom operates under intense pressure: breaking news cycles, shrinking resources, digital competition, and increasingly fragmented audiences. AI tools help journalists work smarter, not harder, freeing up time for what matters most which is storytelling, verification, and public accountability.
For Kenyan newsrooms, especially community media that often operate with limited staff and budgets, AI offers an opportunity to level the playing field. When used responsibly, these tools enhance productivity without compromising editorial independence or journalistic ethics.
How AI Can Be Used in Journalism
AI tools are increasingly supporting journalists across the entire news production process especially when paired with strong editorial oversight. Some key applications include:
- Research and analysis: Quickly reviewing large datasets, reports, and archives
- Writing support: Drafting outlines, refining language, and structuring stories
- Planning and brainstorming: Generating story ideas, angles, and interview questions
- Transcription and translation: Converting audio to text and breaking language barriers
- Data visualization: Turning complex data into clear, visual stories
- Fact‑checking and verification: Supporting image, video, and content verification workflows
- Multimedia production: Enhancing images, audio, and visual storytelling
Using Google Gemini in the Newsroom
Led by Kenneth Kiunga from the Google News Initiative, participants explored how Google Gemini can support journalists in their daily work emphasizing on the ethical use, transparency, and human oversight, ensuring that AI enhances journalistic integrity. Gemini was introduced as a writing and thinking companion, rather than a replacement for journalistic judgment.
During this module, we learned how Gemini can be used for:
- Brainstorming story ideas and angles
- Planning content calendars and coverage strategies
- Drafting story outlines and explainer pieces
- Rewriting content for different audiences and platforms
NotebookLM: Making Sense of Complex Information
One of the standout tools introduced was Google’s NotebookLM, particularly valuable for journalists dealing with institutional reports, policy documents, and research papers.
NotebookLM enables journalists to:
- Upload long and complex documents
- Generate accurate summaries grounded in the source material
- Ask targeted questions across multiple documents
- Decompress dense information into digestible insights
For journalists, this means spending less time decoding lengthy reports and more time crafting stories that audiences can understand and engage with.
The Growing Importance of Multimedia Journalism
“In today’s digital age, multimedia is no longer optional, it is a storytelling necessity.” Said Josephine Karani, IAWRT-Kenya Chairperson and the trainer of the AI in Multimedia Journalism module. Audiences increasingly consume news through visuals, audio, and interactive formats, particularly on mobile and social media platforms.
Multimedia journalism:
- Improves audience retention by making stories more engaging
- Enhances understanding of complex issues through visuals and data
- Increases shareability across digital platforms
- Makes journalism more human, relatable, and inclusive
During the training, the media mentor and veteran journalist with over 3 decades of experience in the broadcast media, emphasized the power of visual storytelling. Including how images, graphics, video, and audio can evoke emotion, provide context, and deepen audience connection. She highlighted that strong visuals do not replace facts; they amplify truth and meaning.
Why This Training Matters Especially for Women Journalists
As newsrooms adopt new technologies, there is a real risk that women journalists, particularly those in community media, can be left behind due to limited access to training and digital tools. IAWRT-Kenya’s program intentionally centers female journalists, ensuring they are not just adapting to change but actively shaping it.
By training over 40 female journalists, the organization is contributing to:
- More inclusive and diverse newsrooms
- Stronger digital and multimedia storytelling
- Ethical and responsible AI adoption in media
- A future‑ready generation of women journalists
Looking Ahead
The evolution from manual newsrooms to AI‑enabled journalism is not about replacing journalists but most importantly about empowering them. With the right skills, tools, and ethical frameworks, AI strengthens journalism’s core mission: to inform, educate, and hold power to account.
IAWRT‑Kenya, remains committed to building the capacity of women in media to thrive in this changing landscape ensuring no newsroom, and no journalist, is left behind.
