Philippine newsrooms urged to discuss, develop AI policies with staff

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

A PHILIPPINE media group has urged newsroom managers to start discussing and developing policies on Artificial Intelligence (AI) after a decision of the country’s largest media company to use AI-generated sportscasters.

“We urge colleagues to start these conversations in their workplaces if they aren’t happening already and ensure that issues on ethics and accountability are threshed out before policies are rolled out,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement on Monday.

It said these policies should be aimed at “helping media workers instead of replacing them.”

“While AI is inevitable, already being used, and can be a tool to make newsrooms more efficient, this decision — done in the context of stagnant pay as well as layoffs and departures from the industry — does little to allay concerns of job security in the media,” NUJP said.

Last week, GMA Network, Inc. introduced the country’s first-ever AI-generated sportscasters, which are set to broadcast news on a major national collegiate sports tournament as well as “updates on local and international sports featuring Filipino athletes.”

The launch has gained backlash, with critics saying the news company had failed to cite its reasons for the use of AI-generated sportscasters.

Irene V. Fernando of GMA’s Corporate Communications did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The move “sets an alarming precedent that would profoundly impact the future of broadcasting and those who aspire to be in this industry,” the University of the Philippines Broadcasting Association said in a statement.

“While it is inevitable to adapt these kinds of emerging technologies in the practice of broadcasting, we should not forget that these technologies are mere tools to assist us and improve our work,” it added.

AI should not, in any way, “replace and displace the people who have spent years in the study and practice of broadcasting.”

In a GMA News article, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso said the move aligns with the “mission to serve all communities within the nation and promote inclusivity in our reporting.

“GMA’s adoption of AI technology also demonstrates our commitment to innovation in journalism,” the network said, adding that the company wants to embrace emerging technologies to provide its audience with a “modern and engaging sports news experience.”

Danilo A. Arao, a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines, said any innovation in news presentation “should be toward improving the delivery of content.”

“Using AI as TV news readers tends to distract from the information being shared as viewers want to focus more on the form and less on the content,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Why would a news media organization resort to AI news presenters at this time when humans are better off performing the task?” he asked, adding that the AI news presenters pale in comparison to their human counterparts.

“Innovation by using new technology is fine but this situation does not benefit audiences,” he said. “It may even be perceived as just merely flexing one’s tech-savvy skills and may even be misinterpreted as threatening the jobs of journalists and media workers, especially at a time when low wages, contractualization and other forms of job insecurity are at an all-time high.”

Paolo Barcelon, an e-sportscaster who had worked as a multi-platform reporter for CNN Philippines, said AI “simply can’t do a real-time play-by-play or analysis” of the events in any game, including multiplayer online battle arena games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and DOTA 2.

In esports, he said, major tournaments require as many as three broadcasters, two of whom give play-by-play support, with one acting as an analyst who gives insights about how the game is being played and what in-game matters mean to the viewer.

“While automation can save on costs such as talent fees, makeup artists, food and other related expenses, it will lead to a loss of opportunities not just for the talents but also for the support they need,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.