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- MediaMorph Edition 40 - by HANA News
MediaMorph Edition 40 - by HANA News
Copyrights and copy wrongs
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The written-by-a-human bit
The UK woke today to a coordinated campaign by publishers, creatives, and musicians. The News Media Association is leading the “Make It Fair” fightback, spooked by the threat of weakening copyright laws that favour big tech. Readers are urged to lobby their Members of Parliament in the UK to “safeguard our creative rights in AI”.
To take the argument to its logical outcome, widespread theft will eventually kill off the creatives who provide the content that feeds the AI beasts, much as a parasite kills off the host. This is not in anyone's interest.
A more symbiotic relationship is needed, which means following the money.
However, it remains unclear from where the money will come. The AI juggernauts have yet to settle on a feasible business model while gorging on VC funding. Even when the money does start to flow, we are back to the thorny issue of attribution and remuneration. How do you unscramble the egg?
There is also a philosophical argument about whether AI is “reading and learning” in an anthropomorphic way or “stealing and plagiarising”. Your answer will depend on how intelligent you believe it to be.
It’s unclear how this will play out, but all credit to the plucky Brit creatives taking a stand. Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft collectively intend to spend up to $320 billion on AI advancements and data centre buildouts in 2025—it’s only fair that some of that money finds its way to fund the critical component: content.
Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI
AI and Media and Journalism
Newspapers join forces in AI ‘content theft’ plea to Starmer UK national and regional newspapers have joined forces to combat unauthorized content scraping by AI bots. They aim to protect their intellectual property and uphold journalistic integrity. This initiative underscores the escalating conflict between traditional media and emerging technologies as publishers seek clearer legal frameworks to safeguard their rights in the digital age. |
Allowing AI to exploit and undermine journalism in Wales would be catastrophic - the UK government must think again Yahoo News - February 25, 2025 WalesOnline and major Welsh newspapers are raising concerns over proposed UK Government copyright changes that could allow AI companies to use online content without compensating creators. This would threaten the £126 billion creative sector and local journalism's ability to investigate crucial issues. The groups urge fair compensation for creators to safeguard the essential role of good journalism in holding power accountable. |
A leap forward for AI in journalism from an unexpected place — small-town Missouri Editor and Publisher - February 21, 2025 Rust Communications is revolutionizing local journalism by embracing AI through its innovative content management system. This has led to significant increases in online traffic and digital subscriptions. Integrating tools like the AI assistant Eddie, the family-owned network enhances reporting quality while preserving community storytelling and engagement. |
How AI is Transforming Journalism: The New York Times’ Approach with Echo Unite.AI - February 23, 2025 A report in 2023 revealed that 85% of news organizations are leveraging AI tools to streamline journalism. The New York Times uses its internal tool, Echo, to enhance productivity while ensuring human oversight remains central. While AI enhances efficiency in tasks like summarizing and generating headlines, it also presents ethical challenges that require careful navigation to maintain accuracy and credibility in news reporting. |
Outside the Box: Is AI the Media We Need to Deconstruct Our News Media? Fair Observer - February 24, 2025 In "Outside the Box," the author examines how AI, particularly ChatGPT, analyzes the contrasting views of Donald Trump and Joe Biden on the Ukraine war, revealing that Western media narratives often oversimplify complex geopolitical issues by framing Russia's actions through a Cold War lens. The article emphasizes the need for critical media literacy to challenge bias and promote diverse perspectives in public discourse. |
Expert spotlights key impact of AI in media realm Thepeninsulaqatar - February 25, 2025 At the Web Summit Qatar 2025, Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour emphasized the critical need for news organizations to be compensated for content utilized by AI tools. He argued that failing to do so jeopardizes the integrity of journalism. He urged industry leaders to uphold these standards, especially as reliable information becomes increasingly vital. |
Meet the journalists training AI models for Meta and OpenAI As traditional journalism faces significant job cuts, many recent graduates and seasoned journalists are finding new opportunities in AI training data roles at companies like Outlier, where their writing and research skills are in high demand. While the shift raises concerns about job displacement, workers appreciate the flexibility and supplemental income these positions provide amidst an evolving media landscape. |
UMD gets grant to develop A.I. products for journalists WMAR 2 News Baltimore - February 20, 2025 The University of Maryland, College Park, has secured a $1 million grant from the Scripps Howard Fund to develop innovative AI tools for journalists. These tools, including an "AI Meeting Watchdog" and a "Reporter's Tool Box," aim to enhance workflows and support smaller news organizations. Arizona State University also received a similar grant. Both initiatives focus on improving journalism through technology. |
AI and Academic Publishing
London Book Fair 2025: Programming Highlights for Tuesday, March 11 The inaugural conference for academic publishers, which will take place on March 11, features a range of expert discussions. Maggie Aderin-Pocock will provide keynote insights on future publishing models, and sessions will cover market trends and social media marketing. The conference will also include critical dialogues on AI, copyright, and sustainability in the industry. Highlights include a panel on licensing strategies in the AI era and an exploration of partnerships aimed at promoting a greener publishing landscape. |
I care about carelessness The UK trade publishing sector is grappling with a decline in rigorous editorial practices, as budget constraints lead to a reliance on celebrity authors over expertise, resulting in concerns about the accuracy and quality of non-fiction works. As AI advances reshape the industry, there's an urgent need for publishers to prioritize meticulous craftsmanship and uphold high standards to maintain integrity and relevance in their offerings. |
So Hidden Truth About AI: It’s a Bridge, Not a Barrier CMSWire.com - February 20, 2025 Critics' rise in scepticism toward AI often overlooks the technology's transformative potential for empowerment and creativity, focusing instead on fears that can stifle innovation. While addressing AI's risks is important, embracing its benefits could unlock new opportunities for individuals, particularly those in marginalized positions, fostering a more balanced narrative around its impact. |
UK scientists claim AI efficiency breakthrough for geospatial analytics Researchers at the University of Glasgow have unveiled GeoAggregator, an innovative transformer-based model that enhances geospatial analysis while significantly cutting computational power demands. This week, they also introduced Aggregator, an open-source data analysis tool on GitHub designed to empower organizations of all sizes with efficient and sustainable data processing solutions. |
Generative AI Offers Major Benefits for Independent Workers Intentional Insights - February 18, 2025 Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, highlights that only 8% of independent knowledge workers see generative AI as a threat to their jobs. They leverage the technology to enhance productivity and focus on strategic tasks. He emphasizes that embracing AI not only fosters innovation but also equips professionals to adapt and thrive in the evolving workplace landscape. |
India's ONOS to democratise access to high-quality academic content Cambridge University Press The Week - February 23, 2025 Cambridge University Press is championing India's "One Nation, One Subscription" initiative, which democratizes access to 3,400 international journals for researchers nationwide, enhancing research quality and output. Committed to supporting Indian researchers, CUP is also launching workshops and partnerships, including a recent agreement with Visvesvaraya Technological University, to facilitate equitable access to academic resources. |
University libraries must be ‘access brokers’, not knowledge repositories Times Higher Education (THE) - February 19, 2025 University libraries are facing significant budget cuts, prompting a shift towards sustainable open-access models and user-focused services as they adapt to changing needs. Essex University’s commitment to diamond open-access publishing aims to enhance student experiences while navigating these challenges and supporting a vibrant academic community. |
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