Klein Group A.I. Policy

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A.I. policy for the Winnipeg Sun | Portage Graphic Leader | Kenora Miner and News

Effective: August 2025 | Last reviewed: October 2025

Our Commitment

These newspapers exist to deliver accurate, independent local news and commentary to the people of Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Kenora, and the surrounding communities. Human journalists, editors, and columnists are responsible for every word, photograph, and graphic we publish. Artificial intelligence is a tool that can assist with certain tasks. It is not a substitute for reporting, verification, judgment, or accountability.

Core Principles

1. Human Accountability — A named human journalist or editor is responsible for every piece of content we publish. If AI was used at any stage, that person remains fully accountable under our editorial standards.

2. Verification First — Any output from an AI tool is treated as unverified material. Facts, claims, quotes, and data must be independently confirmed against primary sources before publication.

3. Transparency* — When AI plays a material or substantive role in content readers see, we disclose it clearly.

4. No Replacement of Journalism— AI does not interview sources, develop story angles, exercise editorial judgment, or write publishable news or opinion content on its own.

5. Protection of Sources and Data — Confidential source material, unpublished reporting, and private information are never entered into public AI tools.

How We May Use AI

AI tools may be used for limited, assistive purposes under human supervision, including:

- Early-stage research assistance and document summarization (always verified)

- Transcription of interviews or public recordings

- Grammar, spelling, and style suggestions

- Headline or social media copy suggestions (reviewed and edited by staff)

- Data organization or pattern identification in large public datasets (conclusions verified by humans)

- Translation assistance for public documents or reader accessibility (reviewed for accuracy)

All such uses remain subject to normal editorial review.

What We Will Not Do

- Publish news stories, columns, editorials, or features written primarily or entirely by AI.

- Generate or fabricate quotes, scenes, sources, or facts.

- Create, alter, or enhance news photographs, video, or audio in ways that could mislead readers. (AI-generated illustrations used for non-news purposes, such as opinion graphics, will be clearly labeled.)

- Use AI to imitate the voice, likeness, or style of any individual.

- Rely on AI as a primary source for reporting.

- Enter confidential source documents, unpublished reporting notes, or private reader/advertiser information into public AI systems.

Transparency and Disclosure

If generative AI plays a meaningful role in the research, analysis, or production of published content (for example, synthesizing a large public dataset for an investigation), we will disclose that use to readers in the story or in an accompanying note. Routine editing assistance or internal research tools that do not affect the substance of the published work do not require individual disclosure.

Accountability and Oversight

Editors retain final authority over all content. Staff who use AI tools are expected to follow this policy and to flag any AI-assisted work for appropriate review. The publisher and senior editors will review this policy at least annually and update it as technology and best practices evolve.

Protecting Trust

Readers deserve to know that the journalism they read is grounded in real reporting and human judgment. We will continue to prioritize original local coverage, source relationships, and independent verification over speed or automation. Questions about our use of AI can be directed to the editor or publisher of the relevant publication.

This policy applies across the Winnipeg Sun, Portage Graphic Leader, Kenora Miner and News, and their digital platforms. It reflects our commitment to factual, accountable local journalism under local ownership.