Senate committee hears S.23 on synthetic media disclosures in paid political ads

The Senate Committee on Government Operations on Feb. 27, 2025, heard testimony on S.23, an act addressing the use of synthetic media in elections, with witnesses and legal advisers urging narrow, targeted language and exemptions for entities regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.

For the record, my name is Lauren Hibbert, deputy secretary of state, Hibbert told the committee as she described draft changes that the Secretary of State's office and broadcasters support. Hibbert said the office backs three broadcaster-proposed amendments: changing language on representation to require an "authentic reporting of an individual," clarifying who bears liability for required disclosures, and replacing a draft term "pitch" with "pace." Hibbert described the distinction between paid and unpaid content as central to the bill, saying "the paid part is an also a really important thing to focus on."

The bill matters because it aims to address new techniques that can fabricate audio and video of candidates while balancing legal risk and practical burdens on broadcasters. The committee heard that requiring disclosures is legally less risky than an outright prohibition but raises practical questions about who must disclose and who is regulated.

Attorney…