NWSlab - a bridge between innovation and VRT NWS
NWSlab serves as a vital link between innovation and VRT NWS, comprised of a cross-functional team of journalists, editors, developers, and more. Together, they engage in knowledge-sharing sessions, drive innovation through internal AI programs, research projects, and operate the news hub.
Their main focuses are:
Disinformation: Developing new formats to disseminate fact-checks to a broader audience, with a special emphasis on engaging younger demographics through platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. And exploring opportunities in working together with digital content creators to experiment with more interactive formats.
Data Journalism: Leveraging technology to make (large amounts of) data more searchable and analyzable.
AI in Journalism: Exploring the integration of AI technologies into various stages of the journalistic workflow.
In the field of disinformation, NWSlab tries to reach younger audiences with factchecks through TikTok and Instagram. These reels always include the VRT NWS brand and logo and the same hosts in order to give a sign of trust and recognition. Their TikTok consists of 14.4K follower, a total of 242.1K likes and an average of 55.812K views. On their Instagram they are verified, have 409K followers and have an average of 382K views on their reels.
Next to that, NWSlab developed NWSify: their own platform that collects relevant data, visualised in the form of a branded graph or map and made easily accessible and usable for all VRT news editors. This also supports in easily factcheck (political) claims.
But how do they introduce AI in journalism within their news department, you may ask? They do it by mapping wishes or needs on their workflow! NWSlab’s AI integration strategy involves mapping workflow needs, utilizing existing AI tools, identifying project overlaps, and generating input for new projects. They employ tools like automatic format generation to streamline content creation across various platforms, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
This shows that NWSlab serves as a vital link between innovation and VRT news, leveraging a cross-functional team to combat disinformation, enhance data journalism, and integrate AI technologies, exemplifying a forward-thinking approach that propels the industry towards new frontiers of innovation and excellence.