News Industry Launches “FACTS IN : FACTS OUT” campaign to Combat AI Distortion of News
Geneva, Switzerland – A global coalition of news organizations today launched “FACTS IN : FACTS OUT,” a campaign aimed at ensuring the integrity of news content as Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms become increasingly central to how people access information. The initiative stems from a recent BBC/EBU report, “News Integrity in AI Assistants – An International PSM Study,” which revealed that AI tools consistently alter, misattribute, or strip context from trusted news sources, regardless of location, language, or platform.
The campaign calls on AI companies to prioritize accuracy and transparency, arguing that while AI holds immense potential, it is currently an unreliable source of news. “If AI assistants ingest facts published by trusted news providers, then facts must come out at the other end,” stated Vincent peyregne, CEO of ONE-IFRA.
The core concern is the growing reliance on AI platforms as gateways to news. Distorted information and obscured sourcing erode public trust, a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. “For all its power and potential, AI is not yet a reliable source of news and information - but the AI industry is not making that a priority,” added Liz Corbin, EBU Director of News.
“If enough organisations endorse FACTS IN : FACTS OUT, we hope the AI companies will address the problem urgently,” Corbin continued. “But this is not about finger-pointing; we are inviting the tech companies to engage in a meaningful dialog with us.The public rightly demands access to quality and trustworthy journalism, no matter what technology they use, so it’s clear we need to work together.”
The campaign outlines five key principles for AI developers to uphold:
- No consent – no content: AI tools should only utilize news content with explicit permission from the originating publisher.
- Fair recognition: The value of trusted news content must be acknowledged when used by AI.
- Accuracy, attribution, provenance: AI-generated content must clearly display and allow verification of its original source.
- plurality and diversity: AI systems should reflect the breadth of the global news landscape.
- Transparency and dialogue: technology companies must openly collaborate with media organizations to establish shared standards for safety, accuracy, and transparency.
News organizations are invited to support the initiative by endorsing the five principles (contact info@newsintegrity.org and submitting their logo), visiting www.newsintegrity.org for resources, sharing the BBC/EBU report, engaging with regulators and technology partners, and utilizing the hashtag #FactsInFactsOut on social media.
FACTS IN : FACTS OUT is a component of the broader News Integrity in the Age of AI initiative, aiming to safeguard the future of trustworthy journalism in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. More information can be found at newsintegrity.org.