On Tuesday, ZDF, a public broadcaster in Germany, issued an apology for using AI-generated visuals in a segment about child deportations conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The images were not properly labeled, raising concerns about transparency and authenticity in media reporting. ZDF's deputy editor Anne Gellineka stated that the material aired during a Sunday evening news broadcast did not meet the broadcaster's standards and should not have been broadcasted at all.

The report included footage showing security forces escorting a woman and two children, where AI-generated images were utilized without clear indication of their nature. Additionally, the report featured real footage shot in Florida in 2022, but it also lacked proper labeling. Following the backlash, ZDF announced that the mistake had been rectified and that the video had been adjusted accordingly. The broadcaster emphasized the importance of marking any AI-generated content distinctly, adhering to new editorial policies designed to ensure transparency.

As AI-generated media becomes more prevalent, the challenge for news organizations lies in clearly distinguishing these materials from real footage. This incident underscores the necessity for stringent policies and ethical considerations in media when dealing with AI technologies, highlighting the role of journalists in maintaining public trust and accountability in reporting.