The Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) has warned that artificial intelligence poses challenges to Caribbean journalism, while also offering potential opportunities if properly managed.
The statement came in a media release issued on May 3, 2025, to mark World Press Freedom Day.
Under the global theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” the MIC emphasized that Caribbean media outlets face unique vulnerabilities when dealing with AI advancements.
“AI could democratize information access, but without guardrails, it may erode the financial sustainability of Caribbean media. We must advocate for equitable AI governance that prioritizes public interest journalism,” stated Kiran Maharaj, MIC President.
The institute mentioned several specific challenges facing regional media, including diminishing advertising revenues, with 15-25 per cent of such revenues already being diverted to platforms like Meta and Google Ads. The organization warned that algorithmic curation on social media threatens to further marginalize smaller journalistic enterprises as free, AI-generated content competes with costly, human-produced news.
MIC Vice President Wesley Gibbings posited that Caribbean media must adopt AI-driven verification tools and invest in digital literacy programs because “our survival depends on retaining public trust through accuracy and transparency.”
The organization also pointed to the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, which disrupts media operations and strains financial resources. The devastating hurricanes between 2017 and 2024 underscored the fragility of media infrastructures and the need for disaster preparedness.
As part of its call to action, the MIC advocated for regional policies to tax tech giants and reinvest proceeds into journalism, the exploration of AI-driven revenue models, and the establishment of a Caribbean AI Ethics Task Force to audit algorithms for bias.
The MIC announced it will host the Caribbean Media Summit in Guyana on May 23-24, with the theme “Enhancing Business Models in Turbulent Times,” which will examine AI’s role within this context.
The organization also reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a resilient, independent, and forward-looking media landscape in the Caribbean, stressing that the region must navigate this “Brave New World” with strategic foresight.
