Deepfake in Ecuador: A Look at Journalistic Coverage

This study analyzes news coverage of the October 2023 case in Quito, Ecuador, where two underage students created fake sexual content using artificial intelligence (DeepFake) using photographs of female classmates. Seven news stories published between October 4 and 7, 2023, from local, national, and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Altamirano Molina, Marco Vinicio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:Ecuador
Institución:Universidad Andina Simón Bolivar
Repositorio:Revista de Comunicación y Cultura
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.uasb.edu.ec:article/4546
Acceso en línea:https://revistas.uasb.edu.ec/index.php/uru/article/view/4546
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Inteligencia artificial
deepfake
Periodismo
Leyes
Ética
Moral
Delito cibernético
Artificial intelligence
Deepfake
Journalism
Law
Ethics
Morality
Cybercrime
Descripción
Sumario:This study analyzes news coverage of the October 2023 case in Quito, Ecuador, where two underage students created fake sexual content using artificial intelligence (DeepFake) using photographs of female classmates. Seven news stories published between October 4 and 7, 2023, from local, national, and international media outlets were analyzed. The analysis used categories related to news framing (legal, technological, denunciation), sources used (official, expert, interested, and citizen), and content tone (objective, denunciatory, neutral). The results, based on a qualitative study, indicate that most media outlets maintained objectivity and used reliable sources, but provided little depth on issues of gender-based violence and victims’ rights. Legal gaps were identified in the regulation of AI generated sexual content in Ecuador, while the ethical debate centers on privacy, consent, and legal liability. This analysis underscores the need for an ethical media approach that respects the dignity of victims, prevents re-victimization, and promotes regulatory updates in light of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.