# Transparency & Disclosure in AI-Assisted Journalism

The first and most fundamental ethical question in AI-assisted media is: when must you tell your audience? The answer is not as simple as "always" or "never" — it depends on the nature and extent of AI's role, and getting the disclosure framework right is essential for maintaining trust.

The Disclosure Spectrum

Not all AI use requires the same level of disclosure. Map your usage:

Evaluate this use of AI in journalism and recommend a disclosure level:

LEVEL 1 - NO DISCLOSURE NEEDED:
- Using AI for personal research and brainstorming (like using a search engine)
- Spell-checking and grammar correction
- Transcription services

LEVEL 2 - INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION:
- AI-assisted data analysis that informed editorial decisions
- AI-generated first drafts that were substantially rewritten
- AI-powered source discovery

LEVEL 3 - EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
- AI-generated content that was edited but retains AI-originated language
- AI analysis that is central to the story's findings
- AI-generated visualizations or graphics