Franklin leads the way as Tennessee launches 'It's Real' photography campaign to fight AI images

Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Amanda Roberts, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · July 23, 2026 · 2 min read

Franklin is leaning into authenticity. As artificial intelligence-generated images become more common online, Visit Franklin and Tennessee's tourism department are pushing back with a new initiative called the "It's Real" campaign a seal that certifies tourism photos were taken by real photograph...

Why this matters in The Nashville

The "It's Real" campaign has significant implications for Nashville's own tourism industry, as the city often competes with neighboring Franklin for visitors. By emphasizing authenticity in photography, Tennessee's tourism department is setting a high standard for marketing efforts, one that Nashville would do well to follow. The campaign's focus on real photographers and minimally retouched photos could also boost the local creative economy, as photographers and creators in the Nashville area may see increased demand for their work. As the campaign spreads to other parts of the state, it will be worth watching how Nashville's tourism efforts adapt to this new emphasis on authenticity, and whether the city can find ways to showcase its own unique character and charm through authentic imagery. The success of the "It's Real" campaign in Franklin could provide a valuable model for Nashville to promote its own parks, trails, and outdoor spaces.

About this story

Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: parks · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · Reading time: 2 min

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This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.

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Summary created by	The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Amanda Roberts, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Franklin leads the way as Tennessee launches 'It's Real' photography campaign to fight AI images

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