Politics

Australian media union urges mandatory safeguards to protect workers from AI risks

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 12:41PM UTC

Australia's creative industries union urges the government to enforce stricter AI safeguards, including mandatory transparency and compensation, to safeguard media and arts workers from the rapid spread of generative AI technologies.

Australia’s peak creative industries union has welcomed the federal government’s new National AI Plan while warning that voluntary safeguards will be insufficient to protect media and arts workers from the rapid spread of generative AI. ^[1]^[2]

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) said the plan’s emphasis on monitoring, consultation and responses to workplace risks is a necessary first step, but argued stronger, enforceable guardrails are essential to prevent job losses, copyright breaches and the proliferation of deceptive AI-generated content. According to the original report, MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said the union “will hold the government to its promise to address AI’s negative impacts on creative and media workers.” ^[1]

Madeley welcomed comments from the minister indicating a need to strengthen copyright and related regulation to ensure workers benefit from AI developments, and backed the government’s creation of a new AI Safety Institute as “a necessary watchdog to ensure businesses and AI developers are compliant with Australian law”, the union said in a December 3 statement. At the same time she called for “comprehensive protections that would proactively mitigate against potential harms caused by AI.” ^[1]

A central point of contention is the government’s decision to issue voluntary guidelines on transparency and watermarking of AI-generated content. The MEAA said such voluntary measures “have a poor record in protecting workers and consumers” and called for those guidelines to be made mandatory as “a simple and effective step” to limit the devaluation of human-made creative work and the spread of misinformation. The union warned that voluntary rules risk undermining copyright protections and exposing Australian creative and media workers to being squeezed out by cheap, AI-generated replacements. ^[1]^[3]

The union has repeatedly urged broader legal reform. In October 2024 it called for a national AI Act to enforce greater transparency and disclosure of AI training data and for an independent regulator to monitor and enforce compliance, arguing that piecemeal responses would leave creators exposed to having their work used without consent or compensation. MEAA surveys and campaigning over 2024–25 have shown strong support among media and creative workers for mandatory disclosure and compensation requirements. ^[2]^[4]^[5]

MEAA also pressed for clarity on how the government will ensure transparency around the data used to train AI systems, saying disclosure is essential both to uphold copyright and to guard against privacy breaches and embedded bias in models. The union expects further detail from the government “in the coming months,” and has continued to urge economy‑wide legislation rather than voluntary codes, warning that resisting such laws would amount to a gift to large technology companies at the expense of Australian cultural and creative assets. ^[1]^[2]^[6]^[7]

Industry data and MEAA polling underpin the union’s stance: recent surveys of hundreds of media and creative workers found overwhelming support for regulatory intervention and compensation from technology companies for the use of creative work in AI training, and reported widespread uncertainty about whether individual work had already been used to train models. The MEAA says those findings demonstrate the need for enforceable, economy‑wide protections rather than voluntary guidance. ^[4]^[5]

As debate continues, the MEAA has framed its demands as both a defence of workers’ livelihoods and a measure to preserve public trust in journalism and cultural institutions, urging the government to convert the National AI Plan’s promises into binding laws and a robust enforcement regime. According to the union, without mandatory transparency, compulsory remuneration mechanisms and an independent regulator, the creative sector and public interest risks identified in the plan will remain insufficiently addressed. ^[1]^[2]^[3]^[6]^[7]

📌 Reference Map:

Reference Map:

^[1] (CyberDaily) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 8
^[2] (MEAA media room , Oct 2024) - Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 8
^[3] (MEAA media room , Oct 2025) - Paragraph 4, Paragraph 8
^[4] (MEAA media room , July 2025) - Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7
^[5] (MEAA media room , July 2024) - Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7
^[6] (MEAA media room , Aug 2025) - Paragraph 6, Paragraph 8
^[7] (MEAA media room , Aug 2025 , Productivity Commission response) - Paragraph 6, Paragraph 8

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.cyberdaily.au/digital-transformation/12966-media-entertainment-arts-alliance-urges-government-to-toughen-ai-safeguards - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/media-creative-and-arts-workers-spearhead-calls-for-new-ai-specific-act/ - In October 2024, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) called for the Australian government to introduce a national AI Act to enforce greater transparency and disclosure in AI data usage, aiming to prevent the theft of original works. The MEAA also advocated for an independent AI regulator to oversee monitoring and enforcement, expressing concerns that Australian journalists and creatives were having their work used to train AI without consent or compensation. The union preferred an economy-wide AI Act over piecemeal alternatives, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legislation to address AI's threats to media and creative workers and public trust in journalism and cultural institutions.
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/copyright-protections-a-first-step-in-protecting-workers-from-ai-theft/ - In October 2025, the MEAA welcomed the Australian government's decision not to dilute laws permitting free access to Australian creative works, viewing it as a significant step in combating AI-related theft. MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley highlighted the importance of this decision in protecting the value of Australian culture and the workers who produce it. While acknowledging the progress, Madeley emphasized the need for further action to address AI-induced job losses and work displacement, underscoring the union's ongoing campaign for full compensation for the use of workers' creations and comprehensive measures against AI-related harms.
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/government-urged-to-act-on-ai-and-stop-theft-of-nations-creative-assets-as-critical-productivity-talks-approach/ - In July 2025, the MEAA urged the Australian government to regulate Artificial Intelligence amid widespread concerns about stolen work and potential job losses. A survey by the MEAA revealed that 93% of over 700 media, creative, and entertainment workers agreed on the necessity of government intervention to regulate AI. Additionally, 94% believed that technology companies should be compelled to compensate for the use of their work in training AI models. The survey also highlighted a lack of transparency, with more than half of respondents unaware if their work had been used to train AI, emphasizing the need for clear regulations and protections for creative professionals.
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/stop-ai-theft-media-creative-and-arts-workers-demand-action-from-government/ - In July 2024, media, creative, and arts workers gathered in Canberra to warn Parliament about the potential erosion of creative sector jobs and public trust in media due to the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence. They called for the Federal Government to enact laws regulating AI in the creative and media industries, expressing concerns that Australian creatives and journalists were having their work used to train AI without consent or compensation. The workers urged the government to introduce laws requiring disclosure of data used to train AI and enforce creators' rights to consent and be compensated for their work's use in such contexts.
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/government-must-resist-the-demands-of-big-tech-on-ai-and-support-australian-workers-and-interests/ - In August 2025, the MEAA urged the Australian government to continue pursuing comprehensive economy-wide laws to regulate the deployment of artificial intelligence, which posed significant threats to Australia’s media and creative industries. The union expressed disappointment and concern over media reports suggesting that the Labor Party was considering moving away from new laws that would mitigate AI’s potential downsides. MEAA emphasized the importance of supporting Australian workers and interests, urging policymakers to consider the economic and social impacts of unregulated AI and to resist the demands of big tech companies seeking to exploit AI without adequate safeguards.
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/productivity-commissions-shortsighted-recommendations-are-a-blueprint-for-theft-of-nations-creative-and-cultural-assets/ - In August 2025, the MEAA criticized the Productivity Commission's interim report, 'Harnessing data and digital technology,' for its resistance to necessary legislation and regulation that would protect Australia’s creative and media workforce from AI-related theft. The union described the report as a blueprint for the wholesale theft of Australia’s art, media, and cultural heritage, expressing concerns that it would further enrich Silicon Valley billionaires without safeguarding the interests of Australian workers. The MEAA highlighted the need for regulatory changes to address AI-induced job losses and work displacement, emphasizing the importance of protecting the nation's creative and cultural assets.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is recent, with the original report dated December 3, 2025. The MEAA has previously expressed concerns about AI's impact on creative industries, notably in October 2024 and October 2025. ([meaa.org](https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/mandatory-guardrails-for-ai-in-high-risk-settings/?utm_source=openai)) However, the current report introduces new developments, including the government's creation of an AI Safety Institute and the emphasis on mandatory guidelines for AI-generated content. The inclusion of updated data and statements from MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley suggests a higher freshness score. Nonetheless, the presence of earlier reports indicates some recycled content. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The direct quotes from MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley are consistent with her previous statements in October 2024 and October 2025. ([meaa.org](https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/mandatory-guardrails-for-ai-in-high-risk-settings/?utm_source=openai)) No new quotes were identified, indicating potential reuse of content. The wording of the quotes varies slightly between reports, but the core message remains consistent. No online matches were found for the exact phrasing, suggesting potential originality or exclusivity.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), a reputable organisation representing Australia's creative professionals. ([meaa.org](https://www.meaa.org/?utm_source=openai)) MEAA has a history of advocating for the rights and interests of media and creative workers, enhancing the reliability of the report. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims regarding the government's creation of an AI Safety Institute and the emphasis on mandatory guidelines for AI-generated content are plausible and align with recent developments in Australia's approach to AI regulation. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-27/labor-rules-out-ai-training-copyright-exceptions/105935740?utm_source=openai)) The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as dates, names, and institutions, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate or official language. The structure is focused and relevant to the claim, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for the subject matter.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent and based on a press release from a reputable organisation, MEAA, enhancing its freshness and reliability. While some content may be recycled from earlier reports, the inclusion of updated data and statements suggests a higher freshness score. The quotes are consistent with previous statements from MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley, indicating potential reuse of content. The claims are plausible and align with recent developments in Australia's approach to AI regulation. The report includes specific factual anchors and maintains a formal tone appropriate for the subject matter. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a minor concern but does not significantly impact the overall assessment.

Artificial Intelligence
Media and Arts
Regulation