Effective Date: April 4, 2026
At Indy Politics, we recognize that artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common tool in journalism, legal analysis, and digital publishing. While AI can improve efficiency and support newsroom operations, it does not replace human judgment, independent reporting, legal verification, or editorial responsibility.
Our commitment remains unchanged: accuracy , transparency , source protection, accountability , and editorial independence.
I. Human Editorial Control
All content published by Indy Politics is subject to human review, editing, and final approval by the editor and publisher.
AI tools may be used to assist with:
- transcription
- summarization of public records
- grammar and style review
- headline and social media brainstorming
- formatting and production assistance
- image generation and graphic design concepts
AI tools shall not replace original reporting, source development, editorial analysis, legal reasoning, or final publication decisions.
II. Verification and Accuracy
No fact, quote, legal citation, court filing reference, statistic, public statement, or attributed material generated or suggested by AI may be published without independent human verification.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- case citations
- statutes and regulations
- dates and filing deadlines
- court rulings
- election data
- names and titles
- public records
Primary documents, official dockets, court opinions, direct interviews, and public records remain the controlling authorities for all reporting.
III. Disclosure and Transparency
When AI tools materially assist in the drafting, production, or design of a story, Indy Politics will disclose that assistance when appropriate.
Examples include:
- AI-assisted transcription
- AI-assisted drafting support
- AI-generated illustrations or graphics
- AI-assisted summarization of public documents
Sample disclosure language:
“AI tools assisted in the drafting or production of this story. All editorial decisions were made by the author.”
IV. Source Protection, Confidentiality , and Privileged Materials
Protection of confidential sources and legally sensitive materials is paramount.
Indy Politics will not input confidential source identities, unpublished investigative notes, embargoed materials, attorney-client communications, legal work product, settlement communications, or draft pleadings into third-party AI systems unless the platform has been specifically vetted for confidentiality and such use is expressly authorized by the editor.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- confidential sources and whistleblower information
- unpublished reporting notes
- internal strategy memoranda
- legal work product
- draft complaints, motions, and discovery materials
- settlement communications
- personally identifying information not already part of the public record
Source protection supersedes convenience, speed, and efficiency .
V. Prohibited Uses
AI may not be used to generate or fabricate:
- quotations
- anonymous sources
- interviews
- legal citations
- court rulings
- attributed statements
- investigative conclusions
No AI-generated content may be published as fact without independent verification.
VI. Corrections and Accountability
If AI-assisted content contributes to an error, Indy Politics will correct the record promptly and transparently.
Where appropriate, correction notices will state whether AI assistance contributed to the error.
VII. Policy Review
This policy shall be reviewed on a quarterly basis and updated as newsroom technology, legal standards, and journalistic best practices evolve.
Approved by:
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz
Editor & Publisher, Indy Politics