Seoul: As generative artificial intelligence (AI) floods the internet with content, trusted journalism has become more vital than ever in guiding readers through misinformation, ensuring news reaches them in an engaging and relevant format, the CEO of the Financial Times (FT) Group, John Ridding, has said. According to Yonhap News Agency, during a recent interview in Seoul, Ridding emphasized that despite technological advances and growing media skepticism, "face-to-face interviews" remain one of journalism's "most important" tools in combating misinformation. He noted that being in the room with the real person adds extra value and importance to the integrity of a conversation. While trusted media maintains its value, Ridding acknowledged that news outlets must innovate to capture the attention of audiences, particularly young readers immersed in gaming, social media, and streaming platforms. He cited videos, podcasts, explainers, and data visualization as examples of formats the London-based newspaper has been developing to adapt to today's shifting media landscape. Ridding highlighted the need for journalism to be both informative and engaging, as the line between news and entertainment has blurred. He stressed the importance of offering unique and differentiated content, warning that if similar content is available for free, audiences will opt for it. Since becoming CEO in 2006, Ridding has transformed the paper into a digital subscription success, proving that readers will pay for valued, reliable content. In April, the FT struck a strategic partnership and licensing agreement with OpenAI, embracing collaboration with generative AI technologies. Ridding emphasized the necessity of adapting to change and being thoughtful about embracing technological disruption. However, he cautioned about the challenges and threats, such as "disintermediation," where readers might turn to AI platforms instead of visiting the original source. Ridding assured that the FT is cautious in ensuring a limited amount of informat ion is accessible through the OpenAI platform and stated that the paper can exit the agreement if it negatively impacts its subscriber base or reader connection. The partnership is currently in an experimental phase, with a willingness to halt it if the outcomes are unsatisfactory. Regarding the recent U.S. presidential election, Ridding anticipated "potentially significant changes" in various policies and relationships, particularly in defense spending. He noted that President-elect Donald Trump expects allies to increase their defense funding, indicating a new phase with potentially disruptive changes and unprecedented risks. Ridding concluded by highlighting the opportunity, mission, and responsibility of quality news media in faithfully and accurately reporting the evolving political landscape.