Newsrooms are converging on a disclosure standard for machine-drafted copy
The emerging consensus separates drafting from verification, and discloses both.
Technology DeskPublished 2 days ago
The unproductive debate asked whether machine assistance belonged in journalism at all. The productive one asks which specific step was automated and who remains accountable for the claim.
The standard now taking shape draws the line at verification: drafting, summarisation and structuring may be assisted; sourcing and factual assertion must be human-owned and attributable.
Publications that adopted this early have found readers largely indifferent to assistance and highly sensitive to its concealment.
Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the Leaders & Impact editorial desk. Sourcing and factual assertion remain human-owned.