The Society of Editors is backing news publishers across national, local and online titles as they unite today to call on the government to back the creative industry amid the threat posed by AI.
Under the banner of ‘Make it Fair’, the campaign warns that tech companies are continuing to use content such as news articles, books and music without permission to train their generative AI models and that without proper controls, transparency or fair payment, the livelihood of journalists and those working in the creative industry remains under threat.
Backing the action, Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society said: “Today’s unprecedented and united action by publishers shows the strength of feeling around the government’s lack of support for the creative sector when it comes to AI.
“The growth in artificial intelligence is currently being driven at the expense of news organisations and those that work in the creative industry that continue to be exploited by the unauthorised scraping of their content by generative AI tools.
“The government must act now to protect copyright, promote transparency and support a dynamic licensing market that ensures content creators are properly remunerated for their work.”
Today’s united action has been co-ordinated to coincide with the deadline for a government consultation on AI and Copyright and it follows the publication last month of the government’s AI Action Plan which pledged to throw ‘the full weight of Whitehall’ behind the AI industry with the creation of new AI Growth Zones to speed up planning proposals and build more AI infrastructure.
The campaign, organised today by the News Media Association, has seen national and regional titles unite with wrap-around covers urging the government to ‘Make it Fair’ around AI.
The News Media Association said: ‘Britain is home to a vast and unique resource: our creative talent. Cultivated over generations by individuals, communities, and industries, it powers our economy – generating £120 billion a year – and enhances our global reputation and inspires national pride.
‘Yet the government wants to change the UK’s laws to favour tech platforms so they can use British creative content to power their AI models without permission or payment unless the creators specifically say “no”.
‘Creators argue this puts the burden on them to police their work and that tech companies should pay for using their content.
‘Tech giants should not profit from stolen content, or use it for free. The government must stand with the creative industries that make Britain great and enforce our copyright laws to allow creatives to assert their rights in the age of AI.’
As part of the campaign, members and the wider public are being urged to write to their MP calling on them to safeguard creative rights in AI and asking them to write to Government Ministers about this critical issue. You can do so here.
