Asahi Shimbun Retracts AI-Altered Images

Tech | November 26, 2025
AI Image Editing Asahi Shimbun Ethics Journalism Media Transparency

The Asahi Shimbun, a leading newspaper in Japan, retracted pictures that were altered using artificial intelligence (AI). The paper acknowledged that some of their provided images had undergone AI editing, a practice that raised ethical questions around transparency and authenticity in journalism. The date or details of the images were not specified in the headline.

Integrity and trustworthiness in media are highly valued in Japan, as it is in other countries globally. Any breaches, such as using AI to alter images without disclosure, can be a huge scandal, as this impacts public trust in news organizations. The public remains aware and critical about these breaches, expecting high standards for journalism ethics.

In the U.S or the EU, journalistic integrity is equally paramount. Any glossing over of the truth, including deceptive editing of photographs, is seen as a significant breach. News organizations uphold stern policies against unethical practices, and violations are fit for public apology, individual dismissals, or even legal action.

Information for Your Country

For readers outside Japan interested in media ethics or AI, they might find the Reuters Handbook of Journalism (https://www.about.reuters.com/en/ethics-standards/reuters-handbook-of-journalism.html) and articles on the ethical implications of AI in journalism (https://www.niemanlab.org/2018/11/this-is-the-state-of-ai-ethics-in-newsrooms-around-the-world/) beneficial.