Thu Jan 30 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Writers Guild of America East Ratifies “Groundbreaking” Three-Year Deal with ABC News
**New York, NY** – The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) announced today that its members have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract with ABC News. The agreement boasts significant financial gains for writers and includes pioneering protections against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in news production.
Key provisions of the contract include a commitment from ABC News to avoid layoffs of current staff and to provide at least three weeks’ notice before implementing AI systems for written news content. The two parties will also meet semi-annually to discuss the evolving role of AI.
“We are immensely proud of our new contract,” stated the WGAE bargaining committee. “This victory, achieved through the resilience and solidarity of our members, secures groundbreaking protections against Generative AI and significantly improves benefits.”
The WGAE represents writers at numerous news organizations, including CBS News, MSNBC, and Fox 5, making this agreement a significant benchmark in the industry’s ongoing negotiations regarding AI’s impact on journalistic work. The contract serves as a model for future negotiations, addressing the concerns of writers as AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into newsrooms.
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