Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1544866
34 SAG-AFTR A | Spring 2026 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News AI, ICE and Media Consolidation BSC Examines Challenges Facing Broadcasters A s broadcasters navigate a rapidly shifting media landscape, three forces are increasingly shaping the future of the profession: accelerating media consolidation, the rise of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, and growing safety and press freedom concerns tied to coverage of immigration enforcement. At its March 21 meeting, the SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee brought these issues into focus, examining how they are impacting members' jobs, security and ability to report freely. The committee met via Zoom for its first meeting of the year, beginning with a discussion of the recently announced CBS and CBS News Radio layoffs. Chief Broadcast Officer Mary Cavallaro gave a brief overview of who was impacted and key follow-up issues the union is addressing, including severance, health care, personal services contracts and freelance concerns. She also outlined SAG-AFTRA's response and formal objections to the Nexstar/Tegna merger and related layoffs, as well as the union's plans to respond to Cumulus Media's March 2026 bankruptcy filing. Next, Minnesota committee members Jon Collins of MPR News and Steve Simpson of WCCO-AM spoke on behalf of their local news community, sharing their experiences covering recent ICE enforcement actions in Minneapolis and beyond. Reporting from the ground, they highlighted safety concerns, coverage strategies and the public's reliance on local journalism in high-stakes situations. They also emphasized the union's role in supporting members and advocating for protections that allow journalists to do their work safely and effectively. The conversation then shifted to broader First Amendment concerns. Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, joined the discussion to address threats to reporter privacy, source protection and data security, including recent incidents involving law enforcement actions targeting journalists. The session provided practical guidance for members navigating these risks. The committee then turned to artificial intelligence and its growing role in broadcast journalism. Casey Morell of NPR provided an overview of strategies and priorities NPR members have focused on in bargaining over AI use, including exploration of areas where AI could be implemented into workflows to alleviate pressure points, as well as establishing clear redlines around uses that could threaten covered work. Committee members shared experiences with AI in their respective workplaces, raising concerns about consolidation of duties, inherent biases and how to keep pace with an ever-evolving technological landscape. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland joined the discussion, highlighting how these priorities align with the union's broader AI strategy, including efforts in public policy advocacy and member education. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin also attended, reaffirming his commitment to supporting broadcast members and the journalism community. At its prior meeting on Dec. 6, BSC Co-Chairs Cheri Preston and Tracee Wilkins provided unionwide updates, including highlighting the work of broadcast members throughout 2025. Joined by Astin, they reviewed the 2025 SAG-AFTRA convention and the steps taken to assert the union's stance on protecting broadcasters, including the Resolution to Protect Members' First Amendment Right and the Resolution Condemning the Killing of Journalists and Urging Protection. The committee then engaged in a lively discussion on press freedom and the treatment of journalists on a national scale, with specific concerns at both the local and federal levels curated by Portnoy. Members also brainstormed ways the union can continue to support and show solidarity with the journalism community. The March meeting concluded with an AFTRA Retirement update from trustee Wilkins and a staff report from Cavallaro covering contract enforcement, organizing efforts and legislative advocacy. She also highlighted state-level initiatives to support public media amid declining federal funding, including a recent California hearing in which SAG-AFTRA participated. STAYING SAFE Read stories from broadcast members about the precautions they take when reporting the news. See page 44 . GETTY IMAGES