September 24, 2023
The Communiqué
There is another threat that might 'creatively kill' the field of journalism and broadcasting: the use of Artificial Intelligence. This also adds up to the talk about the industry's future: would it still be in the hands of humans, or in AI?
The future of journalism in the Philippines is becoming more uncertain as time passes. Given the attacks it has been receiving, as well as the continuous rise in the number of press freedom violations cases under the current administration, its future is now even more concerning, with fears of replacing human reporters with AI-generated ones—a new threat recently introduced by a news organization, too.
On September 23, GMA Integrated News showed off the debut of the country's first AI-generated sportscasters—Maia and Marco—for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 in a post that elicited a wide range of opinions from the public. A day after, September 24, they appeared on television.
At their debut appearance at NCAA, the AI sportscasters said, "parte ito nang mas malawak na mission at mas malawak na paglilingkod ng GMA Integrated News." Similarly, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso stated in the organization's published article on Saturday that it coincides with their mission to "serve all communities within the nation and promote inclusivity" in their reporting. He also said that the implementation of it indicates their "commitment to innovation in journalism."
However, this sparked debate. While it promotes adoption, and advancements in technology, it also creates new concerns, including the likely displacement of media workers in the future. This is certainly pertinent today, as the country's unemployment rate increased to 4.8 percent in July, increasing the total number of unemployed Filipinos to 2.27 million, slightly higher than the 4.5 percent in June, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This is also demeaning to the profession, which is meant to be by and for the people, as well as to students who have spent years studying it. This even kills the real purpose of journalism.
Furthermore, in a 2022 report of the Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) Global Impunity Index, the country is the seventh most dangerous for journalists. Also, from June 30 to July 22, 2022, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines registered 84 incidences of attacks on the media under Marcos Jr. administration, which is said to be 42 percent more than the first 13 months of the Duterte regime. With these rising numbers, the unemployment rate, and other media industry challenges, it is more important to address these first rather than producing and creating further problems in the future.
If GMA or other media companies vows to improve the industry, and serve Filipinos, they must not consider putting people behind in their pursuit of 'innovation.'' AI should be utilized to assist newsrooms and workflow, not to replace media workers. Likewise, it should not be viewed as a threat or a substitute, but rather as a tool.
It must not undermine the people. Advancement is worthless if it comes at the price of human workers.
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