Starmer supports compensation for news publishers who use AI

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his Labor government’s support for compensating news publishers when their content is used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. He expressed this view in an article for the News Media Association (NMA), which coincided with the start of ‘Journalism Matters’ week, an annual event run by the trade body representing Britain’s news media organisations.

Starmer stressed that both AI and the creative sectors, including news and media, are crucial to the government’s mission for economic growth. He emphasized working with these sectors to balance industrial policy, recognizing the principle that publishers deserve control and compensation for their work, especially regarding the role of AI.

The Labor leader linked this principle to the continued implementation of the Digital Markets and Consumers Act. This important legislation aims to address the imbalance between platforms and publishers who rely on them.

“Journalism is the lifeblood of British democracy. My government will protect it” by Keir Starmer “We recognize the basic principle that #publishers need to have control over their work and demand payment for it, even as they consider the role of their work #AI.

— Angela Mills Wade (@epc_angela) October 28, 2024

Earlier this month, Starmer endorsed AI as a tool crucial to Britain’s future, but urged caution over the growing influence of digital technology. He noted the importance of vigilance to ensure that press freedom is not undermined as AI reshapes the economy and lifestyle.

Owen Meredith, CEO of the NMA, praised this year’s Journalism Matters Week, which honors British journalists for their remarkable contributions, including exposing corruption, holding power to account and reporting from critical areas such as Westminster, Israel, Gaza and Ukraine, in the public interest. .