🦾 AI avatars protect journalists in Venezuela

• AI-created news anchors are used to protect journalists in Venezuela.
• The initiative involves approximately 20 Venezuelan news media and 100 journalists.
• The digital presenters report on government actions against opposition and media.

AI avatars convey news from Venezuela

Venezuelan journalists have adopted an innovative method to report on events in the country without risking their safety. By using AI-created news anchors, they can convey information about the political situation without exposing themselves, reports The Guardian.

The initiative is called "Operación Retuit" and involves about 20 Venezuelan news organizations and fact-checking sites, as well as approximately 100 journalists. Together, they share content that is transformed into daily news broadcasts presented by the virtual journalists "La Chama" and "El Pana".

Reporting on government actions

In the first broadcast, the female avatar informed viewers that they are not real people. She then presented statistics on the government's actions against dissidents. According to the report, over 1000 people had been arrested and at least 23 killed during protests in less than two weeks.

The AI-generated news broadcasts have also highlighted controversial topics such as the deaths following the election. Through joint investigations, Operación Retuit has been able to question the government's claims that the opposition is responsible for many of the deaths. Instead, their examination indicates that state security forces largely bear the responsibility.

Challenging situation for journalists

The need for virtual news anchors has grown in line with the increasingly harsh political climate in Venezuela. According to the journalist union SNTP, at least nine journalists are among those imprisoned. One of them, 26-year-old sports reporter and photographer Paúl León, was arrested by police while filming peaceful protests and was later accused of terrorism.

The well-known entertainment journalist Carmela Longo was recently taken by police from her home in Caracas after being dismissed from her pro-government newspaper.

The situation has led to sources no longer willing to speak out, journalists being forced to work anonymously, and social media accounts falling silent. Parts of the news ecosystem, such as X, have been blocked.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Venezuelan journalists continue to report on the situation in the country. By using AI technology, they have found a way to convey important information without risking their own safety.

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