Publishers across the United States are joining forces in an ad campaign urging the government to ensure Big Tech compensates for the content it uses. Hundreds of publishers, including prominent names like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vox Media, are backing the "Support Responsible AI" campaign. Organised by the News/Media Alliance trade association, this initiative features print and online ads calling for action to protect content from unauthorised AI use.
The ads highlight messages like "Keep Watch On AI," "Stop AI Theft," and "AI Steals From You Too," with a direct call to action at the bottom: “Stealing is un-American. Tell Washington to make Big Tech pay for the content it takes.” The campaign follows recent letters from OpenAI and Google urging the government to allow their AI models to use copyrighted content for training purposes.
Each ad includes a link and QR code directing users to the Support Responsible AI website, where they can contact their local representatives and advocate for fair compensation for writers, artists, and journalists. The campaign also calls for mandatory attribution in AI-generated content.
Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, explained in a press release, “Big Tech and AI companies are using publishers’ content without authorization or compensation to fuel AI products, which pull advertising and subscription revenue away from original creators.” She emphasised that the news media industry is not against AI but seeks a fair and balanced approach to its development.
This campaign follows a similar one in the UK earlier this year, where major newspapers used their covers to push for protection against AI using copyrighted content. Other participants in the US campaign include The Atlantic, Seattle Times, Tampa Bay Times, Wired publisher Condé Nast, and Politico owner Axel Springer.