The VVJ is not satisfied with Mediahuis’ decision to release journalistic work for AI purposes. This could be particularly damaging to freelancers, writes VVJ in an open letter.

The Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ) has sent a spicy letter to Mediahuis, publisher of De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen, among others. She criticizes an adjustment to the publishing framework agreement that releases journalistic work for AI training. According to VVJ, this decision was made without consulting the journalists and their representatives.

The VVJ is primarily concerned with the position of freelancers. The agreements do not specify which AI applications are involved and how ethical use of the content will be ensured.

The VVJ also fears that although the use of content for AI training represents “economic added value” for the publisher, freelancers will not be compensated for it. Freelancers may therefore inadvertently contribute to “technologies that threaten their own work,” says VVJ in an open letter forwarded to our editors.

International call

The VVJ’s call receives international support. Among others, the French-speaking journalists’ association in Belgium as well as the Dutch, German and European associations co-signed the letter.

The umbrella organization of European journalists EFJ published a public statement on its website. The associations demand clear guidelines, appropriate remuneration and an opt-out option from Mediahuis and other publishers.

AI vs. copyright

The use of journalistic content for AI training is also causing a stir outside of Europe. AI model developers scoured the Internet for information on how to train the AI ​​models. This has rarely happened in terms of copyright law.

Publishers no longer accepted this and concluded agreements with, among others, OpenAI about the use of the content. VVJ will ensure that such agreements in Belgium benefit not only the publisher but also the journalists themselves.