Major Publishers Launch Campaign Demanding AI Accountability

Hundreds of news organizations—including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Verge’s parent company, Vox Media—are banding together this week in a bold ad campaign pushing lawmakers to regulate AI’s use of copyrighted content.

Dubbed "Support Responsible AI," the initiative, led by the News/Media Alliance, features striking print and digital ads with slogans like:

• "Keep Watch On AI"
• "Stop AI Theft"
• "AI Steals From You Too"

At the bottom, a clear call to action: "Stealing is un-American. Tell Washington to make Big Tech pay for the content it takes."

The timing is no coincidence. Just weeks ago, OpenAI and Google sent letters to the government arguing that AI models should be allowed to train on copyrighted material. Now, publishers are firing back—demanding fair compensation and legal protections.

What’s at Stake?

Each ad directs readers to a Support Responsible AI webpage, where they’re encouraged to contact their representatives. The campaign’s key demands include:

• Compensation for creators – Ensuring Big Tech pays journalists, writers, and artists for their work.
• Attribution in AI-generated content – Requiring AI companies to credit original sources.

Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, put it bluntly:

"Big Tech and AI companies are using publishers’ own content against them—taking it without permission or payment to fuel AI products that siphon ad and subscription revenue away from the original creators. We’re not anti-AI; many of us use these tools. But we need a fair system where AI is developed responsibly."

A Growing Movement

This isn’t the first time publishers have pushed back. In February, UK newspapers launched a similar campaign, plastering front pages with "MAKE IT FAIR" to protest AI’s unchecked use of copyrighted material.

Other major players joining the Support Responsible AI effort include:

• The Atlantic
• Seattle Times
• Tampa Bay Times
• Wired (Condé Nast)
• Politico (Axel Springer)

As AI continues reshaping media, the battle over who owns—and profits from—content is heating up. Will lawmakers listen? Publishers are betting big that public pressure will force change.

What do you think—should AI companies pay for the content they train on? Let us know in the comments.