Artificial intelligence is changing how journalism is produced. Like many newsrooms, we are using AI tools in parts of our work. We believe our readers deserve to know how — and to trust that our journalism remains the work of our reporters and editors.
This page explains our current approach and the principles that guide it. We will update it as our use of these tools evolves.
What guides us
Human accountability. Our journalists and editors are responsible for everything we publish. AI is a tool, not a journalist. Every story that appears under our masthead — regardless of how it was produced — has been reviewed, edited and approved by a member of our editorial team before publication.
Transparency. We will not conceal our use of AI from our readers. Where AI has played a meaningful role in producing a story or image, we will say so. You will find a disclosure note at the foot of any story where this applies.
Accuracy. We treat AI-generated content as unverified until our journalists have checked it. AI tools can produce errors. We do not publish material on the basis of AI output alone.
Integrity. We do not use AI to fabricate quotes, invent sources, or create content designed to mislead. Our commitment to factual, fair reporting does not change because a tool was used to help produce it.
How we currently use AI
We use AI in the following ways in our newsrooms:
Editing assistance
AI tools help our editors apply our style guides more quickly and consistently — checking spelling, formatting, and applying our house style across stories. We may use AI to reduce the length of a story that is too long or complex, or to rapidly edit a freelancer submitted story that is not is a solid story but not consistent with our style guide. We may also use chat bot style AI tools to assess a story and advise where it can be improved or to check for unsubstantiated claims.
Localisation
When news stories related to multiple communities or projects, we use AI to rapidly produce tailored localised versions of the same story. For example, when a round of grant funding is announced, we may produce one version for the New England Times highlighting New England grant recipients, and a separate version for the North Coast Times highlighting North Coast recipients. Both versions are reviewed by our journalists and editors before publication.
Transcription
We use AI transcription and note taking tools to ensure we get the best possible record of what was said in interviews and events, and rapidly generate transcripts, from which we select quotes. Some of these tools may suggest quotes, but final inclusion of any quotes is always a human journalist or editor’s decision.
Data mining and large document review
We will use AI to assist in finding information in very large data sets or reports. For example, we may use AI for finding relevant references to a particular road in a 400 page Environmental Impact Statement, or finding appropriate quotes from a spreadsheet of survey responses. All information will be verified by the journalist and the editorial team prior to publication, and the use of AI will be disclosed.
Image editing for privacy
We use AI tools to remove or obscure identifying details in photographs where editorial or ethical judgement requires it — for example, removing number plates from vehicles or blurring the faces of children who are not the subject of a story. This is done to protect privacy, not to alter the editorial content of an image.
What we do not use AI for
- Writing original stories without journalist involvement
- Generating or manipulating images in ways that could mislead readers about what they depict
- Creating or fabricating quotes or sources
- Publishing content without human review and approval
Disclosure
Where AI has been used to substantively generate content in a story — such as drawing key points out of a large report — we will include a note at the foot of that story along the lines of:
This story was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.
Any story where AI has been used to generate content will have this disclosure, however we treat AI generated content as an unverified source and factcheck what it generates prior to publishing. You should not be alarmed by seeing such a disclosure in the footer of the story: the story meets the same editorial standards we apply to everything, and has been factchecked.
Our standards
All stories published by KORE CSR mastheads adhere to the Australian Press Council’s Standards of Practice, regardless of whether AI tools were used in their production. The Australian Press Council has not yet issued specific guidelines for news organisations on the use of AI in editorial production, however this policy has been developed in line with the APC Statement of Principles. The APC Standards have required disclosure of digitally altered images for some time. We will review and update this policy if and when the APC issues a specific standard on AI.
Looking ahead
AI tools are developing rapidly, and our use of them may expand. We are committed to updating this page as our practices change, and to maintaining transparency with our readers about any new uses we adopt.
If you have questions or concerns about our use of AI, please contact us at editor@netimes.com.au
Last updated: June 2026