Editorial Integrity
AxcessNews, and affiliated publications are committed to accurate, transparent journalism.
Artificial intelligence now makes it possible to create highly realistic images that may appear to depict real events or people. To protect readers and preserve editorial credibility, we clearly identify AI-generated imagery and never present synthetic images as documentary evidence.
Permitted Uses
AI-generated images may be used for:
- conceptual illustrations
- explanatory graphics
- abstract topics
- opinion pieces
- feature articles
- technology stories
- historical or future concepts
- situations where no authentic image exists
Examples include:
- cybersecurity
- inflation
- artificial intelligence
- privacy
- online scams
- generic courtroom scenes
- generic business meetings
- future technology
Prohibited Uses
AI-generated images must not be used to portray:
- actual news events
- crime scenes
- disasters
- accidents
- military actions
- elections
- protests that actually occurred
- court proceedings
- identifiable real people in situations that never occurred
- photographs that could reasonably be mistaken for genuine news photography
Where authentic photography exists, it should normally be used instead.
Image Labelling
Every AI-generated image must include a visible caption.
Preferred format:
Image: AI-generated illustration by AxcessNews using Ideogram. This conceptual illustration does not depict an actual person, location, or event.
Short format:
Image: AI-generated illustration via Ideogram. Synthetic image.
Where an image combines genuine photography with AI editing, the caption should state:
Image: Original photograph enhanced using AI editing tools.
Alt Text
Alt text should accurately describe what appears in the image before identifying it as AI-generated.
Example:
A photo-realistic AI-generated illustration of people holding protest signs in a city street. This synthetic illustration does not depict a real event.
The description should remain useful for screen readers while making clear that the image is synthetic.
Editorial Approval
Editors remain responsible for ensuring that:
- an AI illustration cannot reasonably mislead readers
- captions accurately identify AI-generated content
- the illustration matches the story
- no copyrighted logos, trademarks, or identifiable people are improperly depicted
- AI imagery is not used where it could alter the factual understanding of a news event
Any image that contains Alt text or a caption that contains “Illustration” should be assumed to be AI-generated, and not a real event.
Historical Content
This policy applies to all new content published after July 2026.
Older articles may be updated over time to include clearer AI image labelling where appropriate.
Reader Transparency
AxcessNews believes transparency builds trust. Readers should always be able to distinguish between documentary photography and synthetic illustrations without needing to guess.