The federal government responded cautiously to an appeal made by ARD, ZDF, and several media associations calling for protection against AI exploitation. On Wednesday, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius told the dts news agency that the government would take the matter into consideration within the relevant department. He noted, “We are aware of the problems arising from the use of AI, and we are certainly in dialogue with the publishers as well”. Kornelius added that the associations frequently submit proposals to the federal government to clarify their positions.
In a broader context, former CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has previously stated that he believes less AI regulation is necessary. However, Kornelius appeared to see no contradiction in this stance. He pointed out that the regulatory framework being established by the European Union already includes consideration of the effects on individual sectors. “This mainly concerns the use of data and, so to speak, the data sovereignty of the publishers themselves” he explained.
The media associations issued their plea on Tuesday, stating in a joint declaration with public-broadcasting stations and the associations BDZV, MVFP, and VAUNET that “fair frameworks are necessary so that media companies can secure a diverse and democratic public sphere in the future”.
Specifically, the appeal urges changes in media, competition, and copyright law. The demand outlines that publishing media providers must “retain full control over the use of their content by AI providers and platforms”. This requirement applies particularly to the use of editorial content for training purposes, as well as for the development of AI-based competing offerings to existing media providers. Ultimately, the decision regarding the use of journalistic content by AI providers and platforms must be subject to “the authority of the publishing media providers”.
Furthermore, the appeal calls for the establishment of clear, enforceable rights in Germany that would oblige AI platforms accessing or commercially exploiting journalistic content to pay adequate remuneration to the media providers. This, the text adds, requires the transparency regarding the use and manner of the journalistic and editorial content.