China's national radio and television bureau mandates AI content labels in broadcasting

On September 17, 2026, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) announced new regulations requiring AI-generated content in broadcasting to be clearly labeled. The directive was unveiled during a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, which focused on the '14th Five-Year Plan' for the development of radio, television, and online media. The SARFT emphasized the importance of AI in the creative process, noting its widespread use in content creation, production, and distribution across various formats such as TV dramas, web series, and animations. The new rules aim to balance innovation with regulation, ensuring AI tools support artistic expression while maintaining content integrity. The SARFT also highlighted the need for continuous updates to policies to keep pace with technological advancements. The regulations stress the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI-driven content creation, with specific guidelines on how to differentiate between AI-generated and human-created material. This includes strict prohibitions against deepfake editing and other forms of AI manipulation. The SARFT also outlined plans to enhance industry standards and provide clearer guidelines for content creators and broadcasters. These measures are intended to foster responsible AI use in media while protecting audiences from misleading or harmful content.