Belgium: Concerns about Mediahuis new framework agreement allowing the use of journalistic work to train AI
The Flemish Journalists’ Association (VVJ) board of directors is concerned about the new framework agreements at the European media group Mediahuis, which has included a provision to enable the use of journalistic work for AI purposes. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliates in Belgium in denouncing a decision taken without consultation with the journalists and their representatives.
In a letter to the publishers dated 28 November 2024, the VVJ denounced the following provisions of the agreement, which are detrimental to the rights of freelancers:
- Unclear provisions: The agreements do not specify which AI applications are concerned and how ethical use of content is guaranteed. Freelancers may therefore unintentionally contribute to technologies that threaten their own work.
- No financial compensation: Although using content for AI purposes generates economic value, freelancers receive no specific compensation. Fair compensation and annual indexation are essential to recognise their true contribution.
- Limited freedom of choice: Freelancers do not have the option of refusing to have their work used as training data for AI. An opt-out is necessary to guarantee their autonomy and professional integrity.
“The development of AI models, which increasingly rely on content from journalists, creates economic value. It goes without saying that freelancers, and by extension the entire profession – as providers of this content – should be fairly remunerated for this,” says VVJ in the letter.
Together with the VVJ, unions in Belgium (AJP), Netherlands (NVJ), Germany (dju inver.di) and the EFJ ask Mediahuis and other publishers for clear guidelines, appropriate compensation, and an opt-out option. Only then will the rights of freelancers be safeguarded and the sector be future-proof in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
“Freelancers, who make a living from their work, are under pressure as lone fighters against publishers and platforms anyway – publishers who have so far refused to negotiate with the German unions. The use of AI must be appropriately remunerated for both permanent employees and freelancers”, says Deputy Federal President Peter Freitag at dju in ver.di.
EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez added: “It is unacceptable to think even today that journalists’ work can be used without their agreement or remuneration. AI must not be used as a pretext for exploiting journalists. We call on Mediahuis to initiate a consultation process with journalists’ representatives to review the agreement as soon as possible. We warn that similar provisions may apply in other countries where Mediahuis operates.”
Mediahuis owns news media in Belgium and in the Netherlands, such as De Standaard and NRC, as well as in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg, and Germany.
Signed:
- European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- Vlaamse Vereniging van Journalisten (VVJ)
- Association des journalistes professionnels (AJP)
- Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten (NVJ)
- German Journalists’ Union (dju in ver.di)
