A major journalism group has released proposed changes to its ethics code. The revisions address misinformation, AI-generated content, and digital verification. Members will vote on the updates this October.
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has released proposed revisions to its code of ethics, marking the first update to one of the most-referenced standards in U.S. media since 2014. The move comes as newsrooms face new challenges from generative AI, digital misinformation, and the rise of non-traditional news sources.
Since the last update, the media landscape has shifted dramatically. According to the SPJ committee behind the proposal, about 20% of Americans now get news and commentary from influencers and creators on social platforms-many of whom do not identify as journalists or follow professional codes. The committee also cited research showing that 56% of journalists use AI tools at least weekly, raising ongoing questions about the ethical use and potential misuse of these technologies in news production.
Interestingly, the proposed code does not mention “AI” directly. The committee explained in an accompanying report that they avoided the term to prevent the code from becoming outdated, as they did with “social media” in 2014. Still, the influence of AI and digital platforms is clear in the new language and priorities.
One of the most notable additions is a new tenet: journalists are now urged to “identify misinformation and disinformation,” challenge falsehoods, and avoid repeating them uncritically. This reflects the growing importance of authentication and verification in journalism, especially as social media and AI-generated imagery become more common sources of misleading content.
The revisions also emphasize the need to verify the “provenance and authenticity” of information and sources. The committee said these terms were added to address the realities of the digital and AI era, making the code more specific and actionable for today’s newsrooms.
Another change acknowledges that journalists can inadvertently contribute to the spread of fabricated or misleading content. The updated code instructs journalists to never publish fabricated content that could be mistaken for reality. The committee noted that the word “content” was added to address AI-generated images, graphics, and other digital materials.
The closest the code comes to naming AI is by adding “technology” to a key tenet: “Remember that speed, technology or medium do not excuse inaccuracy or unfairness.” The committee said this update is meant to cover AI as well as future technologies. A new sentence also clarifies that journalists are ethically responsible for their work, regardless of the tools or technologies used, reinforcing that human accountability remains central even when AI is involved.
The proposal follows a yearlong review by a blue-ribbon committee. SPJ members will now have the chance to review, discuss, and comment on the changes ahead of a vote at the association’s national convention in October.
For those interested in how AI is already transforming editorial workflows, a recent analysis explores the impact of automation and new tools on newsroom operations: see this in-depth look at AI’s role in news production.
