About 100 staff at the online publication CNET have formed a union in response to “a lack of transparency” from management regarding layoffs and the use of AI. This is reported by Vice.
“The organizing campaign at CNET began before the AI news in our publication,” said a union spokesperson.
According to him, the union will help the magazine’s staff preserve “the highest standards” of journalism and CNET’s integrity as a trusted source.
“We need the same protections and guarantees as other digital media, especially as new technologies are deployed,” the union said.
The CNET union will join the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). The organisation brings together many other online outlets, as well as screenwriters, and radio and television workers. It represents the interests of 7,000 workers.
“Automated technologies threaten our jobs and reputation. The union will help us adapt to new business strategies, while upholding high journalistic standards and practices,” the letter to CNET management says.
Staff are also concerned about the publication’s broad restructuring, including three rounds of layoffs in the last year. They say this has driven low morale and anxiety and has led to a wave of resignations and brain drain.
“We are facing a lack of transparency and accountability from management regarding performance evaluations, sponsored content and AI plans. We are concerned about the dilution of editorial strategies and monetization plans,” the statement says.
The union is calling on CNET and Red Ventures to voluntarily recognise the union.
Earlier, WGAE stated that the use of AI algorithms to write articles is unacceptable. Media reports say the guild discussed the issue with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
In May, talks stalled. As a result, WGAE announced the largest writers’ strike in 15 years.
Earlier in late 2022, CNET almost three months quietly published articles, generated by artificial intelligence.
In January 2023, after disclosures, the magazine’s management said it intended to continue using AI to write materials.
In March, amid the developing scandal, CNET fired 10% of its staff.