Toolkit for Journalists and the Judiciary – Confronting Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms how information is produced, verified, and consumed, professionals in the media and judiciary face a new set of challenges — and opportunities. CEDEM’s Toolkit for Journalists and the Judiciary, developed within the Media Watchdog project, offers a practical roadmap for responsible, ethical, and effective use of AI in Montenegro.
At its core, the toolkit addresses a simple but urgent question:
How can journalists and the judiciary harness AI without compromising accuracy, ethics, or public trust?
This resource provides clear guidance on integrating AI tools into daily work — from drafting texts and organizing documentation to analysing large datasets or improving workflows — while highlighting the risks of misinformation, copyright violations, biased outputs, and overreliance on automated systems.
Because most AI technology is developed in English, the toolkit also raises awareness of a key regional issue: LLMs are still poorly optimized for Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian. Users must therefore adapt AI-generated content to local linguistic and cultural contexts and approach outputs with caution.
The document includes:
- Do’s and Don’ts of AI use
Transparent disclosure, fact-checking, safeguards for privacy, and ethical boundaries are presented in a simple, practical format. - A curated set of free and open-source AI tools
From transcription tools to interactive advisors that help select the right AI model, each recommendation is tailored to the needs of journalists and justice-sector professionals. - Key terminology explained
Concepts such as LLMs, deep fakes, deep learning, and algorithmic bias are defined in clear, accessible language.
Ultimately, the toolkit emphasizes a core principle:
AI should support — never replace — human judgment, ethics, and professional responsibility.
In a media landscape where speed often overshadows accuracy, this toolkit offers a grounded, practical starting point for strengthening accountability, enhancing digital literacy, and building trust between media, institutions, and the public.
Toolkit is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bU4XTAjQNFP8JqUFRO6cJJilayOajw9RNo1bQv_aD_w/edit?usp=sharing
