"It is truly astonishing that this was allowed to go forward at all, adding that the Post was deliberately warp[ing] its own journalism just days after the White House launched attacks on reporters, including Post staff, over corrections and editor's notes: If we were serious we would pull this tool immediately. What are the guardrails to ensure accuracy in this podcast? one staffer asked."
"The tool, promoted by Post leadership as a customisable audio product for subscribers and launched two days ago, quickly unraveled once journalists began testing it. According to internal Slack messages obtained by Semafor, staffers flagged factual mistakes, invented quotes, and editorial framing creeping into coverage. It's a total disaster, one Post staffer told Status directly. I think the newsroom is embarrassed."
The Washington Post launched a customizable AI-generated podcast product for subscribers that rolled out two days ago. Journalists testing the tool reported factual mistakes, invented quotes, and unauthorized editorial framing. Internal Slack messages show staffers raising alarms about accuracy, legal risk, and reputational harm, especially in sensitive coverage areas. One editor called the rollout astonishing and urged immediate removal. Staffers asked what guardrails exist and criticized phrasing that puts words in people's mouths. Additional internal messages expressed embarrassment and described the feature as a disaster. The head of standards acknowledged frustrations but declined to immediately halt the project.
Read at www.mediaite.com
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