AI Policy Template for Media & Publishing

Publishers face AI as both a tool and a credibility threat. Several outlets have been burned by undisclosed AI-generated articles with fabricated facts. The fix isn't prohibition — it's a policy with bright lines: what AI may draft, what must be human-verified, when AI use is disclosed, and what (source identities, unpublished material) never enters a prompt.

AI risks specific to media companies

• Undisclosed AI-generated content can violate platform policies and destroy reader trust
• AI-fabricated quotes, facts, or citations create defamation and credibility risk
• Copyright status of AI-generated content affects what you can license and protect
• Source-confidential information must stay out of AI tools

What a complete media & publishing AI policy includes

• Purpose, scope, and who the policy covers (employees, contractors, volunteers)
• Approved AI tools and the process for approving new ones
• Acceptable uses — and the prohibited list, including data that must never enter prompts
• Privacy-law clauses for your jurisdictions (GDPR, EU AI Act, CCPA, PIPEDA)
• Human review and accountability rules for AI output
• Incident reporting, enforcement, and annual review

Frequently asked questions

Should we disclose AI-assisted articles?

The policy defaults to disclosure when AI materially generates published content, matching emerging industry standards and platform requirements.

Can fact-checking be delegated to AI?

No. The policy makes verification of every factual claim, quote, and citation a human responsibility — AI can assist research, never replace verification.

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