The use of AI is problematic for Mekong Independent in several respects.
Sourcing
While the use of AI is becoming more widespread in our daily lives, it presents a huge issue when it converges with reporting. AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Grok, DeepSeek, and others, are prone to hallucinating — showing information that does not actually exist and is potentially 100% fabricated.
It may offer information that seems linked to an official source, only for that information to not be present at all in the source offered.
It also summarizes information in a notably flat, boring, and vague tone, leaving out crucial information for readers. Some examples of this information include:
- According to what law?
- What are the specific restrictions the government imposed?
- What was the historical context for them doing that?
AI doesn’t work as the basis for facts-based journalism, and, for this reason, the use of AI to generate words, quotes, or information for our publication is completely unacceptable. Our readers trust us, and we need to be able to trust our reporters.
We understand the confidence it gives in communicating in a second language. However, any use of AI makes us doubt whether a contributor can take responsibility for what is written.
Therefore, we do not accept pitches and writing that use AI.
This means:
- Every fact needs a source. This can be an interview, document or seeing it first-hand.
- We will ask reporters for notes, recordings, and proof of interviews to ensure that the use of AI was not present.
- If you need to brainstorm ideas, talk to us. We are available at editor@mekongindependent.com.
For data analysis, every data point needs a clear source, and calculations must be verifiable. AI summaries of data are unpublishable.
Photos
The use of generative AI to produce photos for Mekong Independent is completely unacceptable. The consequences are that the relationship with the reporter or photojournalist will be ended, the payment, if not yet given, will be withheld, and any published work by that journalist will be removed from the website with a written explanation.
Spelling and grammar
We understand English may be your second or third language, but mistakes in grammar or spelling are not a deal-breaker for this publication. We’d prefer your human voice to anything that an AI tool can publish. Editors exist for a reason and we will help your work sound its best.
Some journalists may be using AI tools to check their work for grammar and spelling errors. Unfortunately, the result is a vague and flat sentence that fails to capture the writer’s voice. It leaves crucial details out of the article, and fails to answer important questions like “According to who? Why did this happen?”
For Mekong Independent, using AI tools like large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Grok, DeepSeek, to spellcheck or correct your work is unacceptable. The use of Grammarly is discouraged for the same reasons.
Please only use tools like spellcheck on your Word or Google Docs article.
Translation
While the use of AI translation in the media industry is becoming more common, Mekong Independent regards the publication of full sentence, paragraph, or article translations as dangerous and potentially unreliable. For many South and Southeast Asian languages, AI translation is new and extremely prone to mistakes while missing important cultural context in ways that can be harmful.
We prefer that reporters writing in their non-native language either use the following methods, or seek a translator from staff:
- Translation is an art, not an exact science. Your interpretation of what the person meant in your own language is superior to what AI can produce.
- When you encounter a word or phrase you’re unsure of, you can check resources like Google Translate, search engines, or databases. The replication of a single word or phrase is fine as long as cross-checked with your own interpretation, other speakers of that language, or databases and search engines. Please do not copy and paste entire paragraphs or sentences.
- Translations are unique to the person. We expect translators and reporters to have written the piece in their own words. Mistakes in grammar and spelling are a normal part of the writing and editing process. You and your editor will work together to make sure the writing accurately reflects what you mean.
The use of LLMs like those listed above (ChatGPT, Grok, etc.) is unacceptable in any work.
For more reliable translators used in context, please use the following resources:
- sealang.net is a database of 14 SEA languages using vocabulary in context. However, it is not comprehensive and we always strive to add more reliable resources.
- Please contact editor@mekongindependent.com to discuss sourcing a translator for your particular language and story. We try to provide a budget and a wide range of languages for stories across the region.
Accountability
Mekong Independent reserves the right to ask reporters for their notes, interview transcripts, or recordings during the editing process for fact-checking purposes and to ensure there is no AI being used to generate sources or material for the publication.
If AI as outlined above is found to be used in articles before publication, the relationship between the reporter and publication will be stopped and payment will not be issued.
If AI is found to be used after publication with factual errors, the article will be removed from the website with an explanation provided as to the reason and Mekong Independent will cease working with the reporter immediately.
If AI is found to be used after publication while not affecting the facts of the story, the publication will cease working with the reporter immediately, with the following line issued below all articles written by the reporter:
After publication, this article was found to not meet Mekong Independent’s non-AI use standards.
This document was first posted on June 29, 2026. Any changes will be noted below.
July 10, 2026: Clarifications added on the expected translation process as well as AI use for data analysis.