Recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer published an article emphasizing that with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, media institutions should have control over the use of their content and receive appropriate compensation. He believes that journalism is the "lifeblood of democracy," and the government should work to protect press freedom, ensuring that the powerful influence of digital technology does not undermine the ability of journalists and publishers to uphold democratic values.
In an article launching the Journalism Matters campaign, Starmer pointed out that artificial intelligence, creative industries, and media play important roles in driving the UK's economic growth. The government is working with these sectors to seek a balance in industrial policies. He stated, "We recognize a fundamental principle: publishers should have control over their works and seek compensation considering the role of artificial intelligence." He emphasized that this is an important prerequisite for ensuring a healthy media ecosystem, especially in the context of growing demand for credible information.
Starmer's statement comes as The Observer reveals opposition voices the government is facing. Some plans allow AI companies to automatically scrape content from publishers and artists, which has sparked widespread dissatisfaction, including from the BBC. The government hopes to attract more tech companies to invest and has announced over £25 billion in investments in data centers in the UK. However, last month Google warned that without increasing data centers and allowing tech companies to use copyrighted works in their AI models, the UK might be left behind.
Starmer mentioned a recent report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism showing that the proportion of people selectively avoiding news has increased by 10 percentage points since seven years ago, reaching 39%, a new high in 20 major markets. He pointed out that despite numerous pessimistic predictions about the future of news, there are still over 900 local and national media outlets in the UK, covering more than 80% of the population, indicating the strong resilience of the media industry.
He also praised the brave journalists who, during the election period, conducted "firm, sharp, and unwavering" oversight on him and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Starmer emphasized the importance of protecting press freedom and promised that the government would crack down on malicious lawsuits used to threaten journalists and scholars, ensuring the freedom and fairness of investigative journalism.
Key Points:
📢 Media institutions should control the use of their content and receive compensation to meet the challenges of AI technology.
📰 Journalism is seen as a crucial pillar of democracy, with Starmer reiterating the commitment to protect press freedom.
💼 The government faces opposition from the media industry, with plans to allow AI companies to scrape content facing scrutiny.