Abstract
<jats:p>Photography has undergone a significant evolution from its analog roots film and darkrooms to today's digital and automated methods. One of the most impactful changes is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in image production, sparking both innovation and debate. This article explores the contentious use of AI-generated hyper-realistic visuals in journalism. It raises ethical concerns about presenting such images as authentic news content, warning of the risk of misleading viewers, damaging trust in the media, and contributing to misinformation. The paper stresses that transparency in labeling AI-generated images is crucial to uphold photojournalistic ethics. It also highlights the urgent need for media literacy to help the public critically evaluate visual content in a digital age shaped by advanced technologies.</jats:p>