At Uyghur News Network (UNN), our mission is to provide independent, public-interest journalism you can trust. As technology evolves, we are committed to being open about how we use artificial intelligence (AI) to support our work—while ensuring it never replaces the human judgment, accountability, and responsibility at the core of our reporting.
Our Promises to You
Human-First Reporting
Every article, headline, and investigation we publish is produced under the full responsibility of human journalists and editors. AI tools may assist in limited ways, but they do not replace human reporting, editorial judgment, or accountability. We do not use AI to independently write or publish news stories.
Visual Integrity
We believe in showing the world as it is. We do not use AI to create fake images, fabricate events, or alter news photographs or video in misleading ways. If an AI-generated illustration is used for a clearly labeled opinion or feature piece, it will be explicitly identified as such.
Privacy First
We take source protection seriously. We do not upload sensitive personal data, confidential documents, or source-identifying information to third-party AI systems unless strict confidentiality, retention, and security protections are in place. Protecting sources and vulnerable individuals is a non-negotiable priority.
Fairness for All
Because UNN serves communities that are often misrepresented or surveilled, we apply heightened scrutiny to the tools we use. We actively assess AI systems for potential bias and do not use AI in ways that could reinforce discrimination or harm marginalized or vulnerable groups.
How AI Helps Us (Behind the Scenes)
To work efficiently as a small newsroom—without compromising journalistic standards—we may use AI tools for limited internal tasks, including:
- Transcription: Converting interview recordings into text to support reporting, with human review
- Data organization: Helping organize and analyze large public datasets or spreadsheets
- Accessibility: Drafting image descriptions (“alt-text”) to make our website more accessible, with human proofreading
AI is used to handle routine or time-consuming tasks so our journalists can spend more time reporting, verifying facts, and engaging directly with communities.
Our Bottom Line
AI is a tool—not a journalist. We use it cautiously and transparently to support our work, never to replace the human responsibility at the heart of credible journalism.
How We Put This Into Practice
To ensure these commitments are upheld, UNN follows these internal safeguards:
- Regular tool review: We periodically review the privacy and security practices of AI tools we use
- The “red-flag” rule: Any fact suggested by an AI tool must be independently verified using primary or reliable sources
- Ongoing staff guidance: We regularly discuss emerging risks—such as deepfakes or synthetic media—and how they affect our reporting
This transparency statement reflects our current practices and is updated as technology and risk conditions evolve.
Last updated: January 15, 2026