AI Legislative Victory Close for CWA Political Activists

In June, CWA District 1 and NewsGuild of New York (TNG-CWA Local 31003) activists, along with allies from the New York State AFL-CIO, the Writers Guild of America East, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, the Freelancers Union, the Writers Guild of America West, and other unions, scored a major victory in the fight against misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The New York State Legislature passed a bill requiring news organizations to disclose when AI is used to generate content.

The New York Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Requirements in News Act, or NY FAIR News Act, passed both chambers and is now on its way to N.Y. Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. The bill, numbered S.8451-B/A.8962-B, was sponsored by Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Nily Rozic.

CWA District 1 political activists lobbied on the bill during their four lobby days in Albany, N.Y., as part of their district’s legislative agenda. Members of the NewsGuild-CWA pushed for the AI legislation alongside the Writers Guild. CWA members and retirees also participated in a press conference led by Senator Fahy and Assemblymember Rozic at the state capitol.

With intense opposition from several employer associations already underway, CWA and coalition partners plan to send letters to the governor in support of the bill and will ramp up political activity closer to the December signature deadline.