Azerbaijan Press Council updates journalist ethical codes

The Azerbaijan Press Council has announced amendments to the Ethical Code of Azerbaijani Journalists, focusing on the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the protection of personality rights. These changes were adopted during the IX Congress of Journalists held on October 16.

A new principle, ‘Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence’, has been introduced. The guidelines state that AI systems should not replace professional judgment, editorial independence, or human oversight. Media entities are encouraged to establish internal documents defining the purposes, limits, and verification procedures for AI use. Responsibility for content generated with AI assistance remains with the journalist or their media organization, and all such materials must be verified for factual accuracy and source reliability before publication.

Furthermore, the updates emphasize transparency, requiring that audiences be informed when AI products are used. The code also includes new provisions regarding the protection of privacy, prohibiting the use of information technology to disclose third parties' private lives, including religious or ethnic affiliations, except where legally permitted.