The intersection of the newspaper industry and artificial intelligence (AI) companies is evolving into a significant legal and economic confrontation. Ongoing legal battles are emerging worldwide, primarily centered on issues of copyright infringement and fair use, which are poised to influence the future of both sectors profoundly.
Recently, a Spanish court mandated that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, pay €479 million (approximately $552 million) to Spanish digital media outlets for unfair competition practices and breaches of European Union data protection regulations. This ruling marked a notable victory for print media, but it is unlikely to be the last. This judgment is part of a series of fines that Meta has faced in Europe, including a $32.8 million settlement with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over data privacy infractions, resolved in October 2025.
In a separate case, a Munich court ruling against OpenAI signifies a critical acknowledgment that AI developers must respect intellectual property rights and provide compensation to creators. This decision serves as a wake-up call for AI developers and regulators globally. The rapid rise of AI technology has exacerbated the challenges faced by traditional journalism, with many news organizations struggling to adapt.
The deteriorating state of mainstream press poses a threat to democracy. As traditional media business models falter and public trust dwindles, their capacity to fulfill the essential role of holding power accountable and informing society is compromised. Historical struggles of journalism highlight the societal need for free communication and intelligent discourse, which are now endangered by the unchecked expansion of AI and big tech.
Content creators, including those in the newspaper sector, are right to argue that this moment represents a pivotal opportunity for AI developers and regulators to craft an ethical framework for AI operations. This framework must be firmly based on principles of intellectual property rights and fair compensation.
It is fundamentally inequitable to deplete one sector to benefit another. While AI is projected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, the global newspaper market, currently valued at $80.5 billion, has been experiencing a decline at a rate of 3.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over recent years. The argument is urgent: AI cannot be permitted to exploit creative outputs indiscriminately without accountability.
For decades, creative industries such as journalism, book publishing, and academic research have invested immense resources and expertise to produce high-quality, trustworthy content, which has, ironically, become the fuel for large AI models. This scenario can be described as a subsidized race to market, where creators involuntarily foot the bill through the erosion of their livelihoods. The unlicensed use of protected content constitutes an infringement of established rights.
The foundation of a robust creative economy relies on ensuring that all creators, including journalists, editors, and researchers, are fairly compensated. When AI developers treat copyright-protected material as a limitless resource, they undermine the economic incentives necessary for producing high-quality content. Publishers are justified in demanding that AI system developers, operators, and users respect intellectual property rights and seek explicit authorization for content usage. Existing content licensing frameworks, which have supported media indexing and syndication, make the current unlicensed practices all the more unacceptable.
Moving forward, a strong accountability system is essential. Legal repercussions for content misuse should be severe, akin to the penalties imposed by the Spanish court. Moreover, those deploying AI-generated content must not be shielded from liability for their outputs. The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) establishes significant liability for platforms, offering a model for other jurisdictions. For instance, Australia’s recent legislation, which bans children under 16 from major social media platforms and includes substantial fines, presents a valuable example for Nigerian regulators seeking to address Big Tech’s impunity.
The notion that a system can misattribute, misrepresent, or essentially sanitize misinformation under the guise of limited liability poses a direct threat to democratic health and scientific discourse. AI systems must be designed to promote reliable sources, and developers must make earnest efforts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of AI-generated content. They must also pay for their inputs.
The future of journalism hinges on striking a balance between leveraging AI and upholding intellectual property rights. AI developers, regulators, and policymakers must advocate for responsible AI development while ensuring respect for intellectual property rights. This transformation presents a multifaceted challenge that necessitates careful consideration and collaborative effort. By prioritizing intellectual property rights and fair compensation, the aim is to ensure that AI development benefits creators and fosters a vibrant media landscape.
The stakes are high, and the future of journalism is at a critical juncture. It is imperative that relevant government agencies act expeditiously and responsibly. A thriving, independent press must be preserved, and by working collaboratively, all stakeholders can help forge an equitable AI landscape that serves everyone’s interests. Nigerian regulators should follow Europe’s lead in making AI companies adopt a licensed content model and set new precedents in copyright law. The trustworthiness of news and, by extension, the health of democracy, relies on these developments.
Adediran is the GM/CEO of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
See also
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Freddie Mac Mandates AI Governance for Mortgage Firms, Effective March 2026
