Keir Starmer “recognizes the principle” that AI companies should pay for news content

Starmer’s comments came two weeks later he said at the investment summit The UK “needs to move towards” artificial intelligence, which he described as “a game-changing tool that has huge potential to improve productivity and grow our economy”.

The prime minister also wrote that journalists “should never tolerate intimidation”, including from “powerful people using it”. SLAPPs (bullying lawsuits) to intimidate journalists from pursuing the public interest.

“This behavior is unacceptable, and we will fight the use of SLAPP to protect investigative journalism along with access to justice. “

After initially promising SLAPP action (in particular by Russian oligarchs) during the general election Labor since then delayed making specific proposals on this issue. A private member’s bill on SLAPP that made its way through parliament was defeated when the election was called, although a new private member’s bill, introduced by Conservative Gregory Stafford, is in the second reading at the time of writing.

Also, marking the start of Journalism Matters week, NMA chief executive Owen Meredith wrote: “We have the opportunity to harness the potential of artificial intelligence, but we must do so in a way that maintains the sustainability of journalism while respecting our gold standard intellectual property and copyright laws , which are a powerful driver of revenue and growth in many industries.

“The news media industry is not opposed to generative artificial intelligence, but it cannot be allowed to dismantle existing industries that are so important culturally and financially to the UK.”

Meredith urged the government “will shift most of its advertising spending from Big Tech to local media” and that the future digital marketing department prioritizes the appointment of “Googleadvertising technical services, Meta Facebook and both Google and Applemobile ecosystems of Russia” as having the status of a strategic market.

(More details: The Digital Markets Bill paved the way for a “level playing field” with big tech publishers)

“Journalism is the lifeblood of democracy. Journalists are guardians of democratic values. These simple facts are so woven into the fabric of our society that we often take them for granted. This year, I fought hard for the honor of serving our country as Prime Minister. And at every step, decisive, sharp and relentless representatives of the fourth power brought me to justice. Neither I nor the current leader of the opposition complained about it. None of us turned our partisans against the media. We went about our business, like all our predecessors, recognizing that this is democracy in action. It was ordinary and unremarkable.

“And yet this is not a given. Journalists around the world put themselves at risk in defending these values. Journalists like the Ukrainian Viktoria Roshchyna, who told us about the terrible story of Mariupol, who is now dead in Russian prisons. Or the hundreds of murdered journalists who reported on the incredible suffering in Gaza. Or the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue, in hiding during the assassination attempt on President Trump, still broadcasting face down behind his car. An extraordinary image that reminded us of the risks and purpose of journalism. So that thanks to the bravery of journalists, the world sees what it needs to see.

“There are over 900 local and national news titles in the UK. Despite all the prophecies of doom about the future of news, this is a tremendous power. The British news industry reaches over eighty percent of the population.

“However, this vitality should not blind us to the challenges. And while, fortunately, there is no direct threat to press freedom in our country, we must remain vigilant lest the growing power of digital technology begin to destroy it. Especially when artificial intelligence starts to change our economy and way of life.

“Both artificial intelligence and the creative industries, including news and media, are key to this government’s driving mission for economic growth. To achieve a balance in our industrial policy, we work closely with both sectors. We recognize the fundamental principle that publishers should control and be paid for their work, including thinking about the role of AI. This is not only important for the live media landscape, where the sector’s provision of reliable information is more vital than ever. It is also relevant to our ongoing work to speed up the implementation of the Digital Markets and Consumer Act. This landmark legislation will help restore balance between platforms and the publishers who rely on them.

“We also support journalists who endure threats just for doing their job. Just because journalists are brave doesn’t mean they should be intimidated. This applies to social networks. The Safer Internet Act will introduce new protections against abuse and respect the content of established news publishers. This applies to journalists around the world, where we will continue to use British soft power and diplomacy to defend journalistic freedoms. But it also applies to powerful people who use SLAPPs to intimidate journalists into not protecting the public interest. This behavior is unacceptable, and we will fight the use of SLAPP to protect investigative journalism along with access to justice.

“Because this is a government that will always defend the freedom of the press. We believe in accountability. I am determined to show that traditional democratic British values ​​are the only way to bring about the change that working people want – that is my political project in a nutshell. And there can be nothing more traditional, democratic or British than a robust free press that fearlessly holds those in power to account.”

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