At The PressMark, we believe that journalism must remain accurate, independent, transparent and accountable to its readers. As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly common in digital media, we recognise their potential to assist journalistic work. However, we also believe that technology must serve journalism, not replace human judgement, editorial responsibility or independent reporting.
This policy explains how The PressMark uses AI tools in its editorial and publishing processes.
1. Our Approach to AI
The PressMark may use AI-assisted tools to support certain tasks involved in producing and publishing content. These tools are used to improve efficiency, assist editorial workflows and support content preparation.
AI is treated strictly as an assistive tool. It does not replace journalists, editors, reporters or independent editorial decision-making.
2. Where We May Use AI
Depending on the nature of the assignment, AI tools may be used for:
- Research assistance: Helping identify relevant background information, topics and publicly available sources for further verification.
- Language and editing: Improving grammar, spelling, readability, sentence structure and overall presentation.
- Translation: Assisting with translation between English, Hindi, Urdu and other languages, subject to editorial review.
- Headline and summary suggestions: Generating headline ideas, short summaries and social media captions for editorial consideration.
- Transcription and documentation: Assisting with the transcription or organisation of audio, notes and other material.
- Technical assistance: Supporting certain routine digital publishing and website-related tasks.
The use of these tools may vary from one article or assignment to another.
3. Human Editorial Oversight
Every piece of content published by The PressMark remains subject to human editorial responsibility.
AI-generated suggestions, summaries, translations or other material are reviewed and assessed before publication. Editors and journalists remain responsible for decisions concerning accuracy, context, relevance, fairness and presentation.
We do not consider AI-generated output to be an independently verified source of information.
4. Fact-Checking and Verification
AI tools can produce inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information. Therefore, information obtained or processed with AI assistance must not be accepted as fact without appropriate verification.
Where applicable, our editorial process includes checking:
- Names, dates, locations and numerical figures.
- Statements and quotations attributed to individuals or organisations.
- Official documents, court orders and government announcements.
- Claims made by public figures, institutions and other sources.
- Context and relevant details surrounding an event or issue.
The PressMark aims to rely on credible sources, original documents, official records and independent reporting wherever possible.
5. AI-Generated Images and Visual Content
The PressMark may use AI tools for certain illustrative or creative visual purposes.
AI-generated or substantially AI-altered images will not be presented as authentic photographs of real events, people or locations. Where such images are used in editorial content, appropriate disclosure or labelling will be provided.
We do not support the use of fabricated visuals that could mislead readers about an actual event or situation.
6. What We Do Not Use AI For
The PressMark does not permit the use of AI to:
- Fabricate news events, sources, quotations or interviews.
- Invent facts, statistics, documents or official statements.
- Present fictional or AI-generated material as verified reporting.
- Create misleading images or videos of real people or events.
- Replace necessary human verification with automated output.
- Misrepresent the origin or authenticity of information.
AI tools must not be used in ways that compromise journalistic integrity, accuracy or public trust.
7. Editorial Independence and Accountability
The use of AI does not change The PressMark’s editorial standards or its commitment to independent journalism.
Editorial decisions, including the selection of stories, framing of reports, publication and corrections, remain under human editorial control.
Responsibility for published content rests with The PressMark and its editorial team, not with the AI tools used during the preparation process.
8. Transparency and Corrections
We believe readers have a right to understand how the content they read is produced. We aim to be transparent about the use of AI, particularly where AI-generated material has a meaningful role in the published content.
If an error is identified in any published material, it will be reviewed under our editorial standards and corrected where necessary. The use of AI does not exempt The PressMark from its responsibility to address errors.
Readers can contact our editorial team to raise concerns, report inaccuracies or seek clarification regarding the use of AI in our content.
9. Policy Updates
As AI technology and journalistic practices evolve, The PressMark may periodically review and update this policy to reflect changes in our editorial processes and standards.
Our Commitment
At The PressMark, we believe that journalism is fundamentally a human responsibility. Technology can assist the process, but accuracy, fairness, independent judgement and accountability must always remain at the heart of our work.
The PressMark
Independent Journalism. Informed Perspectives.