Editor & Publisher Becomes First Publisher to Achieve AAM Ethical AI Certification

The certification independently verifies that Editor & Publisher’s policies and procedures align with industry best practices for responsible AI implementation

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. And SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Sept. 9, 2026) — Editor & Publisher (E&P) is the first publisher to earn Ethical AI Certification from the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM), demonstrating its commitment to implementing AI responsibly and transparently.

“Trust has to be earned, and that includes how we use AI,” said Mike Blinder, publisher of E&P. “We wanted to put our own practices through the independent review we’re encouraging other publishers to consider. AAM’s certification gives our readers, advertisers and partners something more substantial than our word: verification that we have policies and procedures in place to guide responsible AI use.”

With AI adoption accelerating across the industry, publishers face growing expectations from audiences, advertisers and regulators for greater transparency around how AI is being used. At the same time, the increase in low-quality, AI-generated content is making it more important for publishers to find ways to differentiate trusted, quality journalism.

AAM’s Ethical AI Certification was developed by the industry to address these needs by providing an independent assessment of an organization’s AI policies, governance and practices. The certification evaluates organizations across AAM’s Eight Pillars of Ethical AI, including AI policies, disclosures, human oversight and risk management.

“Publishers are finding tremendous opportunities to use AI, but responsible adoption requires strong governance,” said Richard Murphy, AAM’s CEO, president and managing director. “As the first publisher to achieve certification, E&P is providing an example for other media organizations looking to innovate while maintaining trust.”

E&P Editor-in-Chief Gretchen Peck led the organization through the certification process, working closely with AAM to review its policies and procedures and assess how they were being applied in day-to-day operations.

“One of the most valuable parts of the certification process was looking beyond what our policies said on paper and examining how our practices really worked,” Peck said. “We already had a strong foundation in place, and the certification helped us identify areas where we could make refinements and align as a team to give us greater confidence in how we’re using AI across our organization.”

The certification is included in AAM publisher membership. The framework incorporates elements of the IAB AI Transparency and Disclosure Framework, strengthening alignment with evolving industry guidance.

Learn more about AAM’s Ethical AI Certification or download Assurance Outlook: Ethical AI.

About Editor & Publisher

Published since 1901, Editor & Publisher (E&P) covers the business of news media, reporting on the people, ideas and strategies shaping journalism and news publishing. Through its magazine, website, E&P Reports interviews and E&P Solutions Series broadcasts, E&P provides news media leaders with reporting and practical insights on revenue, technology, leadership and the future of local journalism. Learn more at EditorandPublisher.com.

About the Alliance for Audited Media

As the leading global not-for-profit media assurance organization, the Alliance for Audited Media advances transparency, accountability and trust across media and advertising. From cross-media audits and data verification to industry certifications in areas such as brand safety, measurement, retail media and ethical AI, AAM validates the data and processes that power today’s media. Through impartial assurance and forward-thinking frameworks, AAM helps organizations demonstrate credibility and authenticity in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem. Learn more at auditedmedia.com.