Six Ukrainian media outlets have adopted their own artificial intelligence (AI) use policies as part of a project implemented by the NGO Women in Media in partnership with the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
This is one of the first examples in Ukraine of the systematic implementation of internal editorial guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence tools in line with the ethical and gender-sensitive principles enshrined in European legislation.
As part of the project, the Ukrainian newsrooms not only received ready-made policy templates but also worked with experts to adapt them to their own workflows. Particular attention was paid to transparency in the use of AI, digital security, personal data protection, non-discrimination, addressing gender-based threats, and maintaining audience trust.
It is worth noting that 10 Ukrainian media outlets took part in the programme, selected from among 42 newsrooms across the country. Participants received the AI Use Policy for Newsrooms, a practical Guide to its implementation, as well as expert support in adapting the documents to their own editorial workflows.
As a result of the project, the following media organizations have already adopted their own AI use policies: Starlight Media, Ukrainian Week, Rubryka, Gwara Media (Kharkiv city), Radio Nakypilo (Kharkiv city), and Vist newspaper (Chernihiv region).
In addition, the Women in Media team provided consultations to the editorial teams at Suspilne Poltava and Suspilne Crimea, as well as to the Digital Product Development and Management Department of Suspilne Broadcasting.
The project demonstrated that Ukrainian media outlets are ready not only to adopt new technologies but also to establish clear guidelines for their responsible use. The policies and other materials developed through the project can serve as a useful foundation for other newsrooms that are just beginning to integrate artificial intelligence into their work.
“In a time when technology is evolving rapidly, it is important for us to follow the principles of responsible use. It is clear that AI cannot replace the work of a journalist, but it is already helping to streamline certain editorial processes. At the same time, transparency with our readers remains a key principle for us. The Ukrainian Week does not use AI tools to create content, but they are useful for carrying out routine editorial tasks, such as initial interview transcription, text-to-speech, creating subtitles, assisting with fact-checking, and analyzing large datasets,” said Marharyta Dykaliuk, Editor-in-Chief of The Ukrainian Week, responsible for editorial policy and content planning.
“For us as a media organization, it was crucial to establish clear and transparent rules for the use of artificial intelligence. This is the only way to preserve what matters most: our audience’s trust. We strive to embrace innovation responsibly and ethically, without losing sight of our core values and standards. We are sincerely grateful to the Women in Media NGO for their expert support, in-depth engagement with the topic, and assistance in developing the policy. Thanks to this cooperation, we were able not only to set out technical rules, but also to establish clear, high-quality, and up-to-date guidelines for the entire team,” said Ivan Kucherenko, Head of the Internet Projects Department at Starlight News.
This activity is implemented with the financial support of the European Union within the framework of Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’ activities in Ukraine, as part of the project “Not Artificial Threats: Countering Violence Against Women Journalists Using AI in Ukraine,” implemented by the NGO Women in Media. The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the NGO Women in Media and under no circumstances can it be considered as reflecting the views of Reporters Without Borders or the European Union.