Purpose
TheNaijaWide uses digital tools to support newsroom work.
This policy explains how artificial intelligence and automated tools may be used, the limits placed on their use and the role of human editors.
Our Principle
AI may assist the newsroom, but it does not replace editorial responsibility.
Human editors remain accountable for:
- Accuracy
- Verification
- Fairness
- Headlines
- Legal and ethical judgement
- Publication decisions
- Corrections
Permitted Uses
AI-assisted tools may be used for tasks such as:
- Grammar and spelling improvement
- Sentence restructuring
- Headline suggestions
- Summarising source material for internal review
- Organising notes
- Formatting content
- Generating metadata drafts
- Identifying possible duplicate content
- Suggesting related stories
- Transcription assistance
- Translation assistance
- Research support
- Workflow automation
These tools are used to improve efficiency, not to avoid editorial review.
Prohibited Or Restricted Uses
TheNaijaWide does not knowingly publish unverified AI-generated claims as fact.
AI should not be used to:
- Invent quotations
- Fabricate sources
- Create false eyewitness accounts
- Generate fake evidence
- Impersonate real people
- Produce defamatory allegations
- Alter images in a misleading way
- Create false audio or video
- Present speculation as confirmed news
- Replace verification of official records
Factual Verification
AI output is not treated as a reliable source.
Any factual claim suggested by an AI tool must be checked against credible evidence before publication.
This may include:
- Official statements
- Public records
- Court documents
- Direct interviews
- Verified media
- Recognised institutions
- Reputable reports
Human Review
Every article is reviewed by a human before publication.
The editor is responsible for checking:
- Whether the article accurately reflects the source material
- Whether allegations are properly attributed
- Whether the headline is supported
- Whether the content contains invented or misleading details
- Whether quotations are accurate
- Whether the article needs correction or clarification
- Whether publication is fair and lawful
Rewriting And Originality
TheNaijaWide may use AI-assisted tools to help rewrite publicly available information into original newsroom language.
However:
- The meaning of the source must be preserved
- Facts must not be changed
- Important context must not be removed
- Sources should be attributed where appropriate
- Copyrighted material should not be reproduced excessively
- The final article must be reviewed by a human editor
Images
AI-generated or AI-edited images should not be used in a way that misleads readers into believing a fictional scene is real.
Where an image is illustrative, this should be clear from the context or label.
Real news photographs should not be altered in a way that changes the facts of the event.
Automation
Automation may be used for:
- Scheduling
- Tagging
- Internal linking
- Image optimisation
- Indexing notifications
- Duplicate detection
- Newsletter preparation
- Article recommendations
Automated systems should be monitored and corrected when they produce errors.
Sensitive Stories
Extra caution is required when AI is used in stories involving:
- Crime
- Courts
- Politics
- Elections
- Health
- Finance
- Violence
- Sexual misconduct
- Minors
- National security
Human verification is especially important in these areas.
Disclosure
Routine use of AI for grammar, formatting or editorial assistance does not require a disclosure on every article.
A disclosure may be appropriate where AI played a substantial role in producing an illustration, interactive feature, translation or other material that readers could reasonably misunderstand.
Corrections
If AI-assisted content causes a factual error, TheNaijaWide remains responsible for correcting it.
Technology is not an excuse for publishing false information.
Privacy
Editors should avoid entering confidential, sensitive or private source information into public AI systems unless appropriate safeguards are in place.
Editorial Independence
AI systems do not determine TheNaijaWide’s editorial agenda.
Story selection and editorial judgement remain human decisions.
Continuous Review
AI technology changes rapidly.
NaijaWide Media may update this policy as tools, risks and industry standards develop.
Our Commitment
TheNaijaWide will use technology responsibly, transparently and under human supervision.
Our goal is to improve newsroom efficiency without weakening accuracy, fairness or accountability.
Publisher: NaijaWide Media
Website: https://thenaijawide.ng