The Times publisher deploys AI legaltech support lawyers – and reporters

The publisher of The Times and The Sun has integrated an AI-powered legaltech tool into its newsroom after investing in ClearDraft, a content-clearance platform developed by media lawyers Alex Wade and David Burgess. The tool, described as the "first of its kind," scans large volumes of text to identify legal risks and potential libel issues within minutes, greatly reducing the time and effort required for manual review.

ClearDraft will assist journalists in swiftly detecting legal pitfalls, allowing in-house legal teams to concentrate on more intricate matters, such as combating Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (Slapps) – defamation cases and legal threats often used as intimidation tactics by wealthy parties against journalists and activists.

Co-chief executive Alex Wade, who previously served as a media lawyer for major national newspapers including Rupert Murdoch's The Times and The Sunday Times for nearly three decades, emphasized the tool's ability to handle risk flagging more efficiently than a lawyer would in a matter of minutes. ClearDraft's integration promises to significantly streamline legal clearance processes, enhancing journalistic speed and confidence while reducing costs.

News UK's general counsel, Angus McBride, noted that the investment in ClearDraft aligns with the company's commitment to responsible journalism and the adoption of innovative technologies. The deal comes after a multi-year agreement with AI developer OpenAI in 2024, which granted OpenAI access to News UK's content.