Artificial Intelligence & Authenticity Policy
Santanero Media Group, LLC. d.b.a. Santanero Media Group, LLC, The Santanero and KSNG-DB “Santanero Radio”
Effective July 1, 2026
1. Overview
Santanero Media Group, LLC ("Santanero Media Group," "we," "our," or "us") owns and operates The Santanero, KSNG-DB "Santanero Radio," Santanero.org, and related media properties.
Unless otherwise stated, this policy applies to all publications, broadcasts, websites, newsletters, podcasts, social media accounts, and other media properties owned or operated by Santanero Media Group, LLC.
We are committed to maintaining public trust through authentic journalism, transparent editorial practices, responsible use of technology, and genuine community participation.
Our editorial philosophy prioritizes human-created content, authentic reporting, accurate visual representation, transparency, and responsible editorial oversight.
2. Guiding Principle
Artificial intelligence is a legitimate subject of public discussion, journalism, education, research, and community interest.
However, we generally do not accept AI-generated content for publication where readers, listeners, or viewers would reasonably expect human authorship, authentic reporting, original commentary, or accurate visual documentation.
Authenticity remains a core value of Santanero Media Group, LLC.
3. Definitions
For purposes of this Policy, "substantially AI-generated" generally means content in which artificial intelligence systems are responsible for creating most of the text, imagery, audio, video, or other expressive content, rather than merely assisting with editing, proofreading, formatting, transcription, translation, accessibility, or research support.
The determination of whether content is substantially AI-generated shall be made by Santanero Media Group in its sole editorial discretion.
4. Coverage of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence and related technologies may be covered as newsworthy subjects.
We may publish news reporting, interviews, editorials, opinion pieces, commentary, public affairs programming, educational content, community discussions and other content concerning artificial intelligence.
Coverage of artificial intelligence does not constitute endorsement or opposition.
When artificial intelligence is materially relevant to a story, broadcast, publication, interview, or discussion, we may provide editor's notes, disclosures, explanatory notices, or contextual information when appropriate.
5. News, Opinion, and Community Submissions
News submissions, guest columns, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, commentary, community submissions, and similar contributed works should be written by the individual identified as the author.
Submissions that are substantially generated by artificial intelligence systems may be rejected.
Contributors remain responsible for originality, accuracy, sourcing, attribution, fairness, truthfulness and compliance with applicable policies.
We reserve the right to:
- Request information regarding authorship;
- Request supporting documentation;
- Request source materials;
- Request disclosure of AI involvement; and
- Decline publication of submitted content.
When appropriate, we may publish disclosures regarding material AI involvement.
6. Images and Visual Media
Visual content presented as factual, documentary, journalistic, or representative of real events should accurately depict actual circumstances.
We generally prohibit AI-generated images in:
- News reporting;
- Editorial content;
- Opinion content;
- Community submissions;
- Feature stories;
- Documentary journalism;
- Letters to the editor;
- Photographic submissions;
- Public affairs programming; and
- Similar content where authenticity is reasonably expected.
This prohibition includes:
- AI-generated photographs;
- AI-generated portraits;
- AI-generated event imagery;
- Synthetic visual depictions of real people;
- Fabricated documentary imagery;
- Misleading visual representations of actual events.
Published visual content should accurately represent the circumstances being described whenever presented as factual material.
7. Deepfakes and Manipulated Media
We generally prohibit the publication of deepfakes, synthetic media, fabricated recordings, manipulated audio, materially altered video, or deceptive visual content that could reasonably mislead audiences regarding:
- A person's identity;
- Statements;
- Actions;
- Conduct;
- Appearance;
- Participation in events; or
- Factual circumstances.
This prohibition applies whether the manipulation was created using artificial intelligence or other technologies.
Exemptions to this standard exist when an applied Section 4 of this policy.
8. Advertising and Promotional Content
Artificial intelligence may not be used to create deceptive advertising materials submitted to Santanero Media Group.
We generally prohibit:
- Synthetic endorsements;
- Fabricated testimonials;
- Misleading AI-generated advertisements;
- False representations of products or services;
- Deceptive visual content;
- Fabricated individuals presented as actual customers or endorsers.
Advertisers remain responsible for ensuring submitted materials accurately represent the products, services, businesses, organizations, events, or causes being promoted.
We reserve the right to reject, remove, modify, suspend, or decline advertising materials containing deceptive or misleading AI-generated content.
Limited Community Calendar Exception
A limited exception may exist for Community Calendar or "CommunityCal" submissions involving:
- Kermeses
- Funeral fundraising
- Food drives
- Community fundraising by non-organizational groups
In limited circumstances, AI-assisted graphics may be permitted at our discretion when the image is clearly promotional, illustrative, or decorative and is not presented as documentary evidence of an actual event.
Acceptance remains subject to editorial review and approval.
This exception does not apply to:
- News articles;
- Editorial content;
- Opinion content;
- Documentary journalism;
- Interviews;
- Photographic submissions;
- News reporting; or
- Public affairs programming.
9. Editorial and Operational Assistance
We may utilize technology tools, including artificial intelligence systems, for administrative, operational, accessibility, and production-support functions.
Examples may include:
- Transcription assistance;
- Translation support;
- Accessibility services;
- Scheduling assistance;
- Workflow management;
- Formatting assistance;
- Research organization;
- Administrative support.
Limited use of artificial intelligence for spelling correction, grammar review, formatting assistance, transcription, translation, accessibility support, headline brainstorming, or similar support functions does not, by itself, render content AI-generated under this Policy.
Editorial responsibility for all published and broadcast content remains with human editors, contributors, producers, and management.
10. Transparency and Disclosure
Transparency strengthens public trust.
When Santanero Media Group determines that artificial intelligence played a material role in the creation, presentation, or publication of content, we may provide:
- Disclosures;
- Labels;
- Captions;
- Editor's notes;
- Explanatory statements; or
- Other notices.
The form and extent of disclosure shall be determined at our editorial discretion.
11. Enforcement
We reserve the right to request:
- Documentation regarding authorship;
- Source materials;
- Photographs;
- Recordings;
- Original files;
- Creative assets; and
- Supporting information.
Failure to comply with this Policy may result in:
- Rejection of submissions;
- Removal of content;
- Publication of editor's notes;
- Corrections;
- Suspension of contributor privileges;
- Refusal of advertising;
- Termination of contributor relationships; or
- Other appropriate editorial action.
12. Commitment to Authenticity
Readers, listeners, contributors, advertisers, and community members should be confident that content appearing on our media properties reflects authentic participation, responsible editorial oversight, and genuine community engagement.
While technology will continue to evolve, our commitment to authenticity, transparency, accountability, and public trust remains unchanged.
Authenticity remains a core value of Santanero Media Group, LLC.
13. Relationship to Other Policies
This policy should be read together with our other policies published by Santanero Media Group, LLC.
Contact
Questions regarding this policy, contributor requirements, editorial standards, or artificial intelligence concerns may be directed to:
Daniel Diaz, Santanero Media Group, LLC.
Email: ethics@santanero.org