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Young journalists should embrace their profession as a “holy calling” and focus on meaningful storytelling rather than chasing attention or overusing artificial intelligence, said Prof. Henrik von Scheel during his recent visit to Bangladesh.
In an interview, the founder and president of the Institute of Strategic Intelligence described journalists as “guardians of people,” responsible to present an accurate picture of society while inspiring hope through authentic narratives. He stressed that journalism’s core mission is to inform citizens, reflect realities, and help people understand challenges and prepare for the future.
Widely recognised as a key voice behind the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Prof. Henrik warned that modern media is increasingly driven by attention-seeking trends instead of public service.
He urged journalists—especially newcomers—to return to genuine storytelling that highlights local heroes, their struggles, and opportunities within communities.
Expressing optimism about Bangladesh’s media landscape, he said the industry holds strong potential for growth through quality reporting in both English and Bangla, with a stronger focus on investigative journalism and culturally relevant content.
However, the professor cautioned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence in news production. “If you use AI to write content, you risk losing your own skills,” he said, adding that true learning comes from practice, mistakes, and continuous improvement.
Drawing from his teaching experience, Prof. Henrik noted that he often asks students to redo AI-generated assignments, as errors are a natural part of human learning. “We learn by making mistakes,” he said.
Encouraging independent thinking, he advised journalists not to blindly follow trends but to innovate in storytelling, audience engagement, and sustainable media models. Quoting Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius, he said, “If you want to find your destiny, swim upstream.”
While acknowledging that AI can assist with basic tasks like spell-checking, he emphasised that journalists must retain control over their writing, creativity, and judgment to uphold the integrity of the profession.