AI avatars protect Venezuelan journalists from government persecution
Journalists have been using AI as a safeguard against increasing government arrests in Venezuela. Connectas, a Colombian journalism platform, has created an AI tool that lets Venezuelan journalists write without putting themselves in harm’s way.
The AI avatars, known as La Chama or Bestie and El Pana or Buddy, bring news to the audience daily and report on events happening in Venezuela. The personalities are helping to disguise actual reporters so that the journalists themselves might be kept safe while still being able to broadcast news.
¡Ya está aquí el primer episodio de Operación Retuit!
En esta entrega hablamos sobre las cifras reales de detenidos tras las elecciones del #28J y cómo esta crisis política podría impactar la economía en .
https://t.co/SkFE5KKiLW#VenezuelaVota #LaHoraDeVenezuela pic.twitter.com/bFB7WlyxqR
— CONNECTAS (@ConnectasOrg) August 14, 2024
In the first installment of the series, the female presenter named Bestie spoke about “the real number of arrests after the elections,” and “how this political crisis could impact the economy.” The avatars also revealed that they were, in fact, AI. The character added: “But before we go on – in case you haven’t noticed – we want to let you know that we aren’t real.”
Why are Venezuelan journalists using AI?
In a post, Conectas explained why it had begun using AI presenters. It said: “Currently, journalists in the country are being arrested for covering electoral events and an information blockade has been launched by communications companies to restrict the free circulation of information.”
Carlos Eduardo Huerta, director of Connectas, told Caracol News, that “Operation Retweet” (Operación Retuit) was part of a new strategy to combat censorship by the recently elected Nicolás Maduro government. He added: “[The project] aims to draw attention to how valuable journalism is in Venezuela, and that it continues to persevere from all corners of the country.”
Similar initiatives reportedly began before the elections, which took place on July 28, due to fears of persecution. Huerta stated: “We were looking for ways to hack the system – one of them was through these hashtags so that we could find ways to compile information through a collective strategy…and avoid any media being blocked.
“We had a meeting of ideas, on how to be able to address these topics and reach a wider audience using simple formats. And the idea arose of ‘Operation Retweet’ and using artificial intelligence.”
The Maduro regime has intensified its actions against the opponents, activists, and the media, and the violence and arrests have escalated. In two weeks, 1,000 people were said to have been arrested. Nine journalists have also been reported to have been detained. Among them is Paúl León, a 26-year-old sports reporter, who was charged with terrorism for covering the protest.
ReadWrite has reached out to Conectas for comment.
Featured image: Conectas
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