Key Takeaways
- The "Facts In, Facts Out" campaign urges major AI companies to prioritize the credibility of information in their decision-making.
- The campaign is promoted by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), and the International Federation of Periodical Publishers (FIPP).
- AI tools often distort or decontextualize news from trusted sources, leading to a significant erosion of trust in mass media.
- The campaign outlines five fundamental principles for AI companies to follow, including source transparency, fair recognition, and accuracy.
- The goal is to work together towards ensuring information is truthful and credible.
Introduction to the Campaign
The "Facts In, Facts Out" campaign is an international initiative that calls on major AI companies to prioritize the credibility of information in their decision-making. As people increasingly use AI tools to access news, it has become apparent that these tools often distort or decontextualize news from trusted sources. This has led to a significant erosion of trust in mass media, an essential element for a democratic system. As EBU Director of News, Liz Corbin, points out, "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." This is why the campaign is urging AI companies to take responsibility for their role in the digital revolution.
The Problem with AI-Generated News
The campaign was inspired by the News Integrity in AI Assistants report produced by the BBC and EBU, which highlighted how AI tools systematically alter, decontextualize, or even misuse news from trusted sources. As WAN-IFRA CEO Vincent Peyregne notes, "If AI assistants ingest facts published by trusted news providers, then facts must come out at the other end, but that’s not what’s happening today." This is a significant concern, as an increasing number of people use AI platforms as a channel for news access. When these tools distort, modify, or even falsify information, it can have serious consequences for the credibility of journalism and the trust that people have in the media.
The Importance of Transparency
The "Facts In, Facts Out" campaign is part of the broader initiative News Integrity in the Age of AI, which outlines five fundamental principles for AI companies to follow. These principles include source transparency, fair recognition, accuracy, plurality and diversity, and transparency and dialogue. As Liz Corbin notes, "this is not about finger-pointing; we are inviting the tech companies to engage in a meaningful dialogue with us. The public rightly demands access to quality and trustworthy journalism no matter what technology they use." By engaging in a dialogue with the media, AI companies can work towards ensuring that the information they provide is truthful and credible.
The Five Principles of Information Transparency
The five principles outlined by the campaign are designed to ensure that AI companies prioritize the credibility of information in their decision-making. The first principle, "no consent – no content," emphasizes the importance of obtaining permission from the originator of news content before using it in AI tools. The second principle, "fair recognition," recognizes the value of trusted news content and ensures that it is recognized when used by third parties. The third principle, "accuracy, attribution, provenance," emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the original source behind any AI-generated content is visible and verifiable. The fourth principle, "plurality and diversity," ensures that AI systems reflect the diversity of the global news ecosystem. Finally, the fifth principle, "transparency and dialogue," encourages technology companies to engage openly with media organizations to develop shared standards of safety, accuracy, and transparency.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The "Facts In, Facts Out" campaign is an important initiative that highlights the need for AI companies to prioritize the credibility of information in their decision-making. By engaging in a dialogue with the media and following the five principles outlined by the campaign, AI companies can work towards ensuring that the information they provide is truthful and credible. As the use of AI tools for accessing information continues to grow, it is essential that AI companies take responsibility for their role in the digital revolution and prioritize the credibility of information. By doing so, they can help to maintain the trust that people have in the media and ensure that the public has access to quality and trustworthy journalism, no matter what technology they use.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2026-01/international-media-call-for-transparency-from-ai-companies.html