23 October 2026
Last update:26 October 2026
Journalism Ethics Forum 2026 advances practical safeguards for verification, editorial accountability and public trust.
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — With UNESCO support, the Media Council of Mongolia (MCM) convened the Journalism Ethics Forum 2026 on 17 September in Ulaanbaatar. The event brought together 96 participants to explore how artificial intelligence can support journalism while upholding professional ethics and public trust.
Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Journalism Ethical Risks,” journalists, editors, media managers, civil society representatives, researchers, educators and students discussed how to translate ethical principles into everyday newsroom practice. Key issues included verification, human oversight
In opening remarks deliveredve of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, highlighted the opportunities and risks that AI presents for journalism
Prof. Shahbaz Khan delivers opening remarks
“AI may support journalism, but it must never replace human editorial judgement or accountability,” he emphasized.
Prof. Khan highlighted UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence as a global framework grounded in human rights, transparency, fairness and human oversight. He encouraged participants to help develop practical newsroom guidance that promotes rigorous verification, protects sources and personal data, and establishes clear editorial responsibility.
UNESCO also presented its work on AI and journalism ethics, linking newsroom practices with broader efforts to protect freedom of expression, access to information and media pluralism. The presentation examined safeguards throughout the editorial process: protecting confidential information during newsgathering, verifying AI-generated material, disclosing significant AI use and ensuring transparent corrections after publication. It also emphasized the need to assess AI tools’ performance in the Mongolian language and their understanding of local contexts.
Ms. Xuebing Shi from UNESCO presenting UNESCO’s work on AI and journalism ethics
G. Gunjidmaa, Executive Director of MCM, warned that AI could amplify journalistic errors by spreading them more quickly and widely. She stressed that the fundamental principles of journalism remain unchanged as technology advances, makingal responsibility all the more important
G. Gunjidmaa, Executive Director of MCM, addresses the Forum. © MCM
“Technology will not make ethical decisions on our behalf. Professional ethics, editorial responsibility and media self-regulation will be the main shield protecting trust in journalism during technological change,” she said.
Gunjidmaa also observed that journalistic content is becoming increasingly brief, sometimes taking the form of a social media poster. Even a single headline or a few sentences, she cautioned, can harm a person’s rights and reputation.
From ethical principles to newsroom practice
Findings from a survey of 20 Mongolian newsrooms grounded the discussion in professional experience. Presented by the NEST Center for Journalism Innovation and Development, the findings showed interest in using AI to reduce repetitive work and address staff shortages, alongside concerns about verification, information security and newsrooms’ readiness to adopt the technology responsibly.
During the panel discussion, newsroom representatives shared practical examples. Business.mn described using Mongolian-language reference materials and its editorial principles to support AI-assisted technical editing. Eguur News Agency discussed developing its own solution to address confidentiality and information security concerns. These experiences highlighted the importance of pairing efficiency gains with investment, clear internal rules and human oversight.
Panel discussion on AI use, newsroom opportunities and challenges, and media and information literacy. © MCM
The Forum introduced draft ethical guidance and an adaptable newsroom AI policy framework for media organizations to discuss and incorporate into their workflows. Research presentations and professional exchanges also explored synthetic media, deepfakes and correction practices, connecting emerging technological risks with established obligations for accuracy and accountability.
Regional and youth participation enriched the discussion. Eight media professionals from eight provinces contributed local newsroom perspectives, while four university-based journalism, fact-checking and media and information literacy clubs presented their activities. Their participation strengthened links between future journalists and the professional media community.
- University journalism, fact-checking and media and information literacy club members present their work on source verification and identifying misleading content. © MCM
- University journalism, fact-checking and media and information literacy club members present their work on source verification and identifying misleading content. © MCM
Mandate:
UNESCO’s support reflects its mandate to promote freedom of expression and access to information, advance the free flow of ideas, and foster free, independent and pluralistic media. Through its work on journalism education, journalist safety, media and information literacy, and the ethics of artificial intelligence, UNESCO promotes a human-rights-based approach to technological change that safeguards editorial independence and strengthens public-interest journalism.
