The Prime Minister has said that media organisations should have control over – and be paid for – their content amid the development of AI technology.

Writing in The Guardian to mark the start of the News Media Association’s Journalism Matters Week, Starmer said that his government recognised ‘the basic principle’ that publishers should have ‘control over and seek payment for their work’ including when thinking about the role of AI.

Addressing the growing debate over whether AI companies should compensate publishers for use of their content, he said: “Both artificial intelligence and the creative industries – which include news media – are central to this government’s driving mission on economic growth. To strike balance in our industrial policy, we are working closely with these sectors.

“We recognise the basic principle that publishers should have control over and seek payment for their work, including when thinking about the role of AI. Not only is it essential for a vibrant media landscape, in which the sector’s provision of trustworthy information is more vital than ever, it is also relevant to our ongoing work to roll out the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act as swiftly as possible. This landmark legislation will help rebalance the relationship between online platforms and those, such as publishers, who rely on them.”

Describing journalism as ‘the lifeblood of democracy’, the Prime Minster also vowed to tackle the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to protect investigative journalism, alongside access to justice.

He added: “We also stand with journalists who endure threats merely for doing their jobs. Just because journalists are brave does not mean they should ever suffer intimidation. This goes for intimidation on social media – the Online Safety Act will introduce new protections from abuse, as well respecting recognised news publisher content. It goes for journalists around the world, where we will continue to use British soft power and diplomacy to argue for journalistic freedoms. But it also goes for powerful people using strategic litigation against public participation, known as Slapps, to intimidate journalists away from their pursuit of the public interest. Such behaviour is intolerable and we will tackle the use of Slapps to protect investigative journalism, alongside access to justice.”

Read the full piece here.