Algorithmic News Versus Non-Algorithmic News: Towards a Principle-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) Theoretical Framework of News Media

Technological media effects scholarship in the field of journalism and communication is experiencing a reinvigorated blooming due to the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithm-based information. From news production to distribution and consumption, the whole journalistic chain of information media ecosystems and the principles that govern them have all been deeply transformed with the advent of AI and algorithmic tools. Drawing from well-established normative principles that have guided the journalistic profession, this paper seeks to synthesize the current state of research on AI and algorithm-based news by providing a principle-based theoretical framework of news media. In doing so, the paper organizes a comparison between algorithmic news versus non-algorithmic news according to three foundational pillars sustaining journalism research: news production, selection, and effects thereof.