At North London News (NLN), our mission is to serve our community with accuracy, fairness, and integrity. As we integrate modern technology into our newsroom, we remain committed to responsible and transparent journalism.
This Code of Ethics outlines our standards for using artificial intelligence (AI) while maintaining the human accountability that our readers in North London expect and deserve.
Editorial Responsibility and Human Oversight
While AI tools may assist us with research, transcription, or data analysis, the “human touch” is non-negotiable.
- Human Approval: Every piece of content published by North London News is reviewed and approved by a human editor.
- Ultimate Accountability: We take full responsibility for the quality and fairness of our material.
- Editorial Judgment: AI will never replace human intuition or ethical decision-making, especially regarding matters of local public interest.
Accuracy and Verification
Factual integrity is the cornerstone of North London News.
- Independent Verification: We fact-check all AI-assisted information against primary sources before it goes live.
- Tools, Not Sources: AI outputs are treated as informational aids, never as authoritative or standalone sources.
- Zero Tolerance for Misinformation: We do not publish unverified or speculative content generated by automated systems.
Transparency and Disclosure
Our readers have a right to know how their news is produced.
- Clear Labeling: We disclose when AI has played a significant role in creating or organizing a news report.
- Authenticity: We never present AI-generated content as purely human-authored work.
Fairness, Bias, and Inclusivity
We are aware that AI can inherit and amplify societal biases.
- Bias Monitoring: Our editors actively screen for and correct discriminatory or harmful language in AI-assisted drafts.
- Community Representation: We ensure our reporting remains balanced and representative of North London’s diverse population.
- Harm Prevention: We reject any technology or content that promotes hate speech or social harm.
Privacy and Data Protection
North London News upholds the highest standards of data ethics and privacy laws.
- Lawful Processing: We do not use AI to collect personal data without ethical justification.
- No Surveillance: We strictly prohibit using AI for intrusive reporting or unauthorized surveillance.
- Confidentiality: Sensitive information is protected with the same rigorous standards applied to traditional investigative journalism.
Prohibited Uses of AI
To protect the trust of our audience, we strictly forbid:
- Fabrication: Creating fake quotes, interviews, or events.
- Deepfakes: Generating deceptive audio, video, or images intended to mislead.
- Manipulation: Using automation to spread propaganda or influence public opinion falsely.
- Plagiarism: Using AI to reproduce copyrighted material without authorization.
Source Integrity and Attribution
Transparency in sourcing is vital to intellectual honesty.
- Proper Credit: When a story is first reported by another journalist or agency, North London Newswill clearly credit the original author and organization.
- No False Exclusives: We do not present rewritten or AI-summarized content as “exclusive” if it is based on someone else’s work.
- Verification: Facts, quotes, and data are always traced back to verifiable human or institutional sources.
Continuous Review and Accountability
The digital landscape is always changing, and so are we.
- Prompt Corrections: If an error is made—whether by a human or a tool—we correct it transparently and immediately.
- Staff Training: We provide ongoing training to ensure our team uses AI ethically and effectively.
- Evolving Standards: We regularly update these policies to reflect new legal, professional, and social developments.
Our Commitment
At North London News, technology is a tool to support truth and innovation, but it will never come at the expense of our ethics. Our primary goal remains unchanged: To inform the North London community with accuracy, fairness, and integrity.
