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Category: Public Affairs

  • Secretary of State champions creativity

    Secretary of State champions creativity

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP, gave a speech which championed the successes of the creative sector, in which she commended the energy, leadership, creativity, passion, and investment that the creative industry has brought to the country.

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA, commented: “The PPA is thrilled to hear the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport acknowledge the immense value of creative sectors in the UK. This industry has played a vital role in bringing joy and entertainment to millions across the country, and the PPA takes pride in representing the specialist publisher sector, where magazines are read by 40 million UK adults annually. It was encouraging to hear Lucy Frazer acknowledge the concerns relating to the misuse of generative AI, which persists in using the work of creators without compensation. With the right Government backing, our sector will continue to flourish for years to come.”

  • Minister reiterates commitment to maintaining postal obligations

    Minister reiterates commitment to maintaining postal obligations

    SNP MP Martyn Day asked if there will be an assessment of the potential impact on publishers of removing the universal service obligation (USO). In response, Hollinrake said that the Government “is not currently minded to introduce new legislation to change the current obligations on postal deliveries”.

    The PPA reached out to Martyn Day – as well as several other MPs – on the issue of the USO and Royal Mail, relating to publishers, asking them to engage this issue in parliament, and there has been ongoing lobbying from the PPA with Ofcom following the Royal Mail’s lack of commitment to the USO.

    The PPA is currently in the process of responding to Ofcom’s open consultation, which follows their report on the future of the universal postal service, addressing their options for reforming the service according to changing market conditions and consumers’ needs.

    The Government has previously affirmed that they want to maintain the USO and keep six-day deliveries, however, Ofcom and the Royal Mail have maintained the stance that this is not viable. Removing six-day deliveries would affect PPA members who have print subscriptions in their models.

    One of Ofcom’s prospective changes to delivery schedules would be to reduce from six-day to five-day deliveries and several magazine businesses have expressed concern with this shift, stating that it would significantly affect their operational models. There are meticulous systems that are set to ensure magazine shipment dates align with publication schedules, making such a change detrimental to their operations.

    The Government is disinclined to make changes to the postal service, however, once Ofcom has published their findings from their consultation, there will be clarity on the future of the Royal Mail.

    If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

  • Government instructs regulators to outline AI strategy

    Government instructs regulators to outline AI strategy

    The regulators, including those for finance, data, digital markets, TV, media, and comms, have been asked to propose how they would tackle AI in their respective industries.

    The Government has requested these recommendations be in line with the recent AI white paper, which sets out the “principles for existing regulators to interpret and apply within their remits to drive safe, responsible AI innovation”.

    Currently, the needs of publishers, specifically in relation to copyright and intellectual property remain unaddressed, despite these issues being acknowledged in the government’s white paper. Whilst the PPA is pleased that this development is a step towards seeing AI regulated in a broad sense, given there is no statutory regulator responsible for copyright and IP, this leaves creative sectors vulnerable to widespread copyright infringement from AI developers.

    In a recent debate, MP Rebecca Long-Bailey maintained the stance that the UK still lacks sufficient AI regulation amidst the pace of development and risks involved.”

    She asked what steps the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Michelle Donelan) is doing to ensure that regulators have adequate capacity to implement their AI strategies.

    Donelan responded: “Ensuring that regulators have the right skills and capabilities to regulate in their domains is fundamental to the effective delivery of our approach on artificial intelligence regulation. To support that, we have established a central co-ordination function, which will provide regulators with guidance on implementing the regulatory principles and help them identify emerging risks and challenges. The £10 million funding we have announced to jump-start regulator capacity and capability will form a crucial element of this work.”

    The PPA is in conversation with the Competition and Markets Authority and the Intellectual Property Office about this latest update and has been in contact with MPs to address these concerns at the highest level of Government.

    The regulators have been given until 30 April to respond. The PPA will keep members updated as developments come in. If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

    To view a list of the regulators contacted by the Government, click here.

  • The ‘future of news’ debated in the House of Lords

    The ‘future of news’ debated in the House of Lords

    The Editor of The Spectator, Fraser Nelson raised the issue of media plurality, stating that some outlets dominate news markets, and make it difficult for smaller businesses to exist fairly. This is something that is part of the PPA’s ongoing lobbying efforts with ministers. The PPA believes that the lack of digital market regulation has allowed large technology platforms and online news aggregators to harm the UK’s news environment and media plurality.

    Also on the agenda was AI and the risk it poses to journalism. The consensus amongst those in the room was that AI is not an imminent threat to journalists at present.

    Both Nelson and Paul Lee, Global Head of Research for Tech, Media, and Telecoms at Deloitte, said this was because AI systems cannot yet produce articles that are on par with the quality produced by journalists.

    Previously, the PPA was asked to respond to the enquiry – we highlighted our members’ concerns about copyright transparency relating to generative AI, media plurality, algorithmic changes affecting publishers, trust, and unregulated digital market conditions. 

    The PPA continues to call on the Government to address AI regulation to protect the trusted content of our members.

    If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

  • Government recognises need for transparency from AI developers

    Government recognises need for transparency from AI developers

    This paper is being closely monitored by the PPA as the use of AI tools directly impacts the publishing sector. Concern amongst members centres around the fact that AI tools can currently directly access and repurpose PPA member original content without reimbursement.

    On copyright, the Government said that “trust and transparency between parties, with greater transparency from AI developers in relation to data inputs and the attribution of outputs” was needed. While the Government has not committed explicitly to introducing new regulatory instruments for AI and transparency, it did commit to “exploring mechanisms for providing greater transparency so that rights holders can better understand whether content they produce is used as an input into AI models”.

    PPA Chief Executive Sajeeda Merali responded: “It’s encouraging to see that the Government has recognised that transparency is essential. Our members need to understand how much of their content is being lifted by this technology, and how it is being used. It is imperative that PPA members are able to assert their copyright and protect their journalism as a trusted source. 

    We urge the Government to move quickly and work with the creative sectors to identify solutions and next steps, as in the meantime publishers’ content continues to be used at scale without payment or retribution.”

    The PPA continues to engage with the Government on the need for a pathway to transparency from AI developers so that publishers’ copyrights can be realised. If you wish to speak to our public affairs team about this, please contact Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

  • AI scams: consumer protection debated in parliament

    AI scams: consumer protection debated in parliament

    A survey from McAfee showed that 1 in 10 people had been targeted by AI voice scams, with 77% of victims losing money as a result. This is not only happening to consumers, but businesses are also being targeted. Scammers often pose as businesses to fool consumers into believing they are being contacted by trusted establishments, which might impact the credibility of businesses who are victims of this.

    Similarly, there is the threat of the rise of AI-powered disinformation ahead of the general election, and the impact of AI scams being estimated to run into the billions.

    Such sophisticated measures require imminent attention – not just where AI scams affect the general election, but also where consumers and businesses are being affected at the hands of this.

    As many PPA members are B2C publishers, it’s important that businesses are aware of the risks that may be associated with AI scams, to avoid scams happening to your own business. The PPA is calling for better regulation on the back of the Government’s response to the AI White Paper.

    For more information on the debate, click here. If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk.

  • Report on generative AI and large language models published

    Report on generative AI and large language models published

    The inquiry addresses what must happen for the UK to take full advantage of the opportunities and manage the risks associated with generative AI.

    Having submitted evidence to the inquiry the PPA was keen to understand if the report would fairly reflect the interests of its members.

    The report narrowed its findings down to five key areas on LLMs, which included giving “copyright holders a fairer deal”, and the committee said that tech firms engaging in the use of copyrighted data to train models exhibit unfair behaviour. Furthermore, they expressed concern that existing laws are inadequate in guaranteeing compensation for creators when their work is used.

    The PPA is glad to see the committee prioritising IP and copyright in their bid to get the Government to recognise the imminent need for regulating AI before issues escalate, and that the PPA’s concerns are reflected in the committee’s recommendations to the Government, who have two months to respond to this report.

    You can read the committee’s full report, here. (Interactive version, here).

    If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

  • PPA and members respond to impact of potential reduction in Royal Mail deliveries

    PPA and members respond to impact of potential reduction in Royal Mail deliveries

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was prompted to respond in parliament following publication of an Ofcom consultation document on the future of the Universal Service Obligation (USO). This currently states that there will be a six-day delivery service, which many publishers with time sensitive and weekly titles rely on.

    Currently, the USO legally requires Royal Mail to deliver letters Monday to Saturday. However, the service has been struggling – with Ofcom issuing a £5.6m fine after Royal Mail failed to reach its delivery targets in the 2022/23 financial year.

    The PM restated the Government’s commitment to ensuring the Universal Service Obligation (USO) “remains as it is” in Prime Minister’s Questions this week.

    On publishers specifically, the report acknowledges that the sector ‘would be more adversely impacted if the minimum days requirement is reduced’ and suggested that publishers ‘would need to revise production timelines if possible’. However, changes to the USO requirements need parliamentary approval.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Four, Richard Campbell, Managing Director – News, Future PLC said Ofcom’s suggested amendments to the USO are “deeply concerning to publishers of products like mine, because they are designed to be weekend reads when people have a bit more time. They’re part of people’s weekend rituals”.

    He continued: “[the potential reduction in deliveries] is a big concern for us and what that might mean for our readers, their experience, and therefore our business. Without other changes in the marketplace, without Royal Mail introducing a replacement service, or other providers bringing new services to the market, we would be left high and dry. There would be no service available to us.”

    Jess Burney, Managing Director – Subscriptions, Immediate Media commented: “We’re hugely concerned about the proposal to remove Saturday deliveries. Radio Times is the UK’s biggest selling weekly subscription magazine and it is really important that the magazine arrives in good time for readers to plan their weekly viewing. We have seen a significant reduction in the quality of service in the last few years and we are very worried this will make a difficult situation worse.”

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA also made a statement: “The PPA is closely engaging with this latest Ofcom review. We will continue to call on the government and Ofcom to prevent any moves to reduce the USO as it will directly impact our members. The removal of Saturday services will effect time-sensitive titles if Royal Mail can no longer guarantee a timely delivery. These legally mandated services must be maintained so as not to significantly impact a sector worth £3.74 billion to the UK economy. The PPA will represent our members at the highest level of government and Royal Mail to ensure that consumers’ access to time-sensitive information continues.”

    Next steps: Ofcom is now consulting stakeholders on the proposals and has stated that their immediate aim is to ‘stimulate an informed discussion about potentially changing the USO specification to better align with users’ ‘reasonable needs’.

    The PPA will be responding to Ofcom’s consultation re-affirming the importance of Saturday deliveries to the specialist publishing sector. We will also be raising awareness of the industry’s concerns to parliamentarians and Government officials.

    If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk 

    To watch Immediate Media’s Jess Burney speaking to ITN news on the matter, click here

  • The New York Times sues AI developers over copyright infringement

    The New York Times sues AI developers over copyright infringement

    The New York Times rejects OpenAI and Microsoft’s argument that the unlicensed use of copyright-protected content is “fair use” (US definition) because it is being used for a “transformative purpose”.

    The New York Times does not believe their content should be used in this way, claiming that the scraping of its material to train large language models has resulted in AI users being able to access their trusted content without a paywall.

    Whilst some companies have restricted employees from using ChatGPT due to fears of feeding the systems confidential data and some, including Bloomberg, Reuters, the BBC, and the Guardian, have completely blocked the tech that allows AI to use their content for training purposes.

    Meanwhile, in an evidence submission to a parliamentary inquiry, OpenAI said it would be “impossible to create AI tools like ChatGPT without copyrighted material”. The PPA also submitted evidence to this inquiry and will monitor the publication of its findings.

    At present, there is no AI regulation in the UK and the current government has said there’s no “rush to regulate”. The PPA advocates for, and has been asserting to the government, the need for AI regulation, particularly in relation to copyright and digital competition. We will continue to advocate for this with all political parties as we approach the 2024 election.

    The PPA will be lobbying parliamentarians amidst current litigation overseas, doing so by addressing “fair dealing” (the UK equivalent to “fair use”) and calling for regulatory mechanisms to support all publishers who may be affected by data scraping.

    To read The New York Times lawsuit in full, click here.

    If you wish to discuss these issues further with our public affairs team, please contact eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk or natasha.anku@ppa.co.uk

  • The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer’s Bill debated in parliament

    The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer’s Bill debated in parliament

    The newly appointed Minister for Technology and the Digital Economy, Saqib Bhatti, addressed the importance of the Bill, whilst highlighting the necessity for amendments – mentioning transparency, accountability, and clarity.

    The PPA (along with the NMA) has been working closely with Labour Shadow Minister, Alex Davies-Jones MP on tabling amendments to the Bill which would incorporate a citizen’s interest clause. Davies-Jones expressed that the amendments would ensure that the Competition and Markets Authority is obligated to prioritise the interest of consumers and wider citizens.

    The fact that Alex Davies-Jones has taken on this issue is a big leap in our Labour engagement as we continue to build trust and relevancy with the potential next government.

    Additionally, the PPA supports Sir Robert Buckland KC MP’s proposed amendments relating to subscription contracts, which would aim to reduce the unnecessary administrative costs on businesses and introduce new powers that exceed existing ones. Sir Robert’s amendments offer businesses greater flexibility in complying with legal requirements, considering the diverse range of business models affected.

    Despite retaining obligations such as sending frequent reminders and providing customer-friendly exit options, the amendments provide a more adaptable framework, accommodating the variety of businesses impacted. This is something that the PPA and a coalition of trade bodies and businesses have been reviewing and would be pleased to see pass. 

    The PPA will be monitoring the progress. If you have any questions, please contact our Public Affairs Team: Eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk or Natasha.anku@ppa.co.uk