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ABC rules out AI newsreaders and journalist replacements, tells inquiry

Public broadcaster's executives say current guidance bans creating replicas of people or voices without careful consideration

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
The ABC has no plans to replace its on-screen newsreaders or journalists with artificial intelligence technology, representatives of the public broadcaster told a federal parliamentary inquiry into AI in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

David Sutton, the ABC's senior executive for policy and regulatory affairs, told the Joint Select Committee hearing that editorial staff are given clear guidance not to create replicas of people or their voices without very careful consideration. "To be very clear, the guidance that we give to our editorial staff makes very, very clear that they are not to create replicas of people or their voices, without very careful consideration," Sutton said.

While Sutton acknowledged there could be particular contexts in program making where such replication might be necessary, he stated: "Fundamentally, there's no plan to recreate our newsreaders or anything like that."

Kate Gilchrist, the ABC's head of legal for content, said there is a "lot at stake" for media companies as AI develops. She highlighted the importance of ensuring audiences understand what content is produced by the ABC, and ensuring there is a "financial return" on content funded by public money.

The ABC representatives were the first to appear before the committee hearing, which is examining artificial intelligence and its implications.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The ABC is Australia's largest public broadcaster, funded by taxpayers, and its approach to AI sets a benchmark for trust and transparency in news media
  • The explicit rejection of AI-generated newsreaders addresses public concerns about deepfakes and the erosion of journalistic authenticity
  • The inquiry's findings could influence regulation of AI in Australian media and beyond

Background

The ABC operates under a charter that emphasises independence, accuracy and public service. As generative AI tools have become more capable of producing realistic audio and video, media organisations worldwide have grappled with whether to use them for on-air talent. Some private broadcasters have experimented with AI anchors, sparking debate about job displacement and audience trust.

Key Perspectives

The ABC: The public broadcaster prioritises audience trust and editorial integrity. It maintains strict internal guidance against creating AI replicas of presenters, and sees no current plan to move toward AI newsreaders. Critics and technology advocates: Some argue that refusing to adopt AI tools could leave the ABC behind competitors in efficiency and innovation, particularly for routine or low-stakes content. Media unions and journalist groups: Likely to welcome the ABC's stance as a protection of jobs and professional standards, but will watch for any future loosening of the policy.

What to Watch

  • Whether the Joint Select Committee recommends any specific regulations for AI use in public broadcasting
  • How other Australian media organisations respond to the ABC's position in their own submissions to the inquiry
  • Any future ABC content that uses synthetic voices or images, which would signal a shift in policy

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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