Updated 8/20/26

Large Language Model-Generated Content Policy

The Geneseo Current occasionally uses large language models (LLMs) to assist in creating graphics, illustrations and other newsroom and business materials.

We recognize that generated imagery is becoming increasingly common and believe readers should be able to distinguish between an illustration and an image documenting an actual event.

Our Standard

Generated graphics are used as visual illustrations. They are not intended to represent documentary photography or suggest that a depicted scene actually occurred.

We will not use LLMs to create an image of a real local event and present that image as authentic news photography.

When a generated image could reasonably be mistaken for an actual photograph or documentation of an event, we will identify it as LLM-generated or an LLM-generated illustration.

Graphics that are clearly illustrative in nature may not carry an individual disclosure when there is little reasonable possibility that they could be mistaken for documentary photography.

Images Depicting Minors

Moving forward, The Geneseo Current will not use LLMs to generate or recreate images depicting minors.

Coverage involving children and teens will use authentic photography when available or visual designs that do not depict minors.

This standard applies particularly to coverage of local schools, athletics, youth organizations and community events. LLM-generated graphics may still be used to illustrate these subjects when the graphic does not depict a minor.

News Photography

Photographs presented as coverage of actual local events are expected to represent those events.

We will not use an LLM to add, remove or substantially alter people, objects, actions or circumstances in news photography in a way that changes the factual meaning of the image.

Routine photographic adjustments such as cropping, resizing, exposure correction, color correction or other basic editing are not considered LLM-generated journalism under this policy.

Accuracy Still Matters

LLM-generated graphics accompanying a news story should not introduce factual claims that are unsupported by the reporting.

When a graphic contains factual information — such as statistics, dates, locations, quotations or other reporting — that information is subject to the same accuracy standards as the accompanying story.

Transparency

Our goal is straightforward: readers should not be misled about whether an image represents something that actually happened.

When that distinction may not be obvious, we will disclose the use of large language models.

Questions regarding the factual accuracy of our reporting or graphics are always welcome.

Our Use of LLM Tools

The Geneseo Current uses large language model tools as part of our modern newsroom and business operations. We believe these tools can improve efficiency, strengthen research, organize information and help us better serve our readers.

We also recognize that LLMs can make mistakes, misunderstand context, generate inaccurate information and fail to distinguish reliable information from unreliable information.

For that reason, LLMs do not replace human editorial judgment.

Large Language Model-Generated Images and Visuals

The Current may use LLM-assisted or LLM-generated illustrations and graphics, subject to the standards outlined above.

LLM-generated imagery should not be presented in a way that reasonably leads readers to believe it is documentary photography of an actual event.

When an LLM-generated image could reasonably be mistaken for a real photograph, we will identify it as an LLM-generated image or illustration.

The Current will not use LLM-generated imagery depicting minors.

We will not use an LLM to materially alter a journalistic photograph in a way that changes the factual meaning of what occurred.

Routine photographic adjustments such as cropping, resizing, exposure correction, color correction or other basic editing are not considered LLM-generated journalism under this policy.