Ethics Code AI Update
Journalism Society Updates Century-Old Ethics Code to Address Artificial Intelligence Challenges
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The Society of Professional Journalists has overhauled its century-old ethics code for only the sixth time ever—and the first in 12 years. Newsday reports the update, led by longtime journalist Dan Axelrod, responds to a sweeping challenge: artificial intelligence. News organizations now face urgent questions about how to use AI tools ethically without eroding the trust readers once had in journalism.
The revised code keeps journalism's core values—seek truth, act independently, be transparent—but adds new guardrails for an AI-powered newsroom. The Republic notes the SPJ spent a year gathering feedback from editors and reporters nationwide. The goal is clear: help newsrooms navigate AI without abandoning the principles that define responsible reporting.
A Rare Update to Journalism's Foundation
The SPJ code has stood for 100 years with minimal changes. WOKV reports this update marks only the sixth major revision in that entire century. The last overhaul happened 12 years ago, before AI tools like ChatGPT existed. Dan Axelrod, chairman of the SPJ Ethics Committee and a former Gannett business reporter, led the effort. The process involved months of meetings and input from journalists across the country.
Why AI Forced Newsrooms to Rewrite the Rules
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how newsrooms work. Reporters can now use AI to research stories faster, write summaries, and even generate first drafts. But without clear ethical boundaries, these tools risk damaging what little trust remains in journalism. Lancaster Online explains the SPJ recognized that newsrooms needed guidance on when and how to use AI responsibly. The alternative was chaos—each outlet making up its own rules.
The new code doesn't ban AI. Instead, it demands transparency. Journalists must disclose when they use AI tools. They must verify AI-generated information before publishing. And they must always put human judgment first. KTAR notes the code stresses that AI should help journalists do their jobs better, not replace their accountability to readers.
Four Principles for the Modern Newsroom
The updated code boils journalism down to four core principles: Seek Truth and Report It, Act Independently, Be Transparent and Accountable, and (the fourth principle addresses minimizing harm). ClickOnDetroit reports these principles remain timeless but now include explicit guidance on AI use. Editors and reporters can reference them when deciding whether an AI tool helps or hurts their reporting.
Rebuilding Public Trust in a Fractured Media Landscape
Journalism faces a credibility crisis. Readers doubt what they read. Misinformation spreads faster than corrections. Journal-News reports the SPJ sees the ethics code reboot as a chance to remind the public that professional journalists follow rules—and care about getting things right. By being clear and honest about how they use new technology, newsrooms signal they still value accuracy and integrity. The code won't fix trust overnight, but it signals the profession takes its obligations seriously.
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