U.K. Media Giants, Including BBC and Sky, Form AI Publishing Rights Coalition, Ask Global Leaders to Join to “Protect Original Journalism”

Hollywood Reporter

by Lily Ford

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

U.K. media giants, including BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, and others, have formed a coalition called SPUR (Standards for Publisher Usage Rights) to address the growing challenges posed by AI in the publishing industry. In an open letter addressed to global leaders, the executives emphasized the urgent need to establish common standards for AI usage rights to protect original journalism and ensure its long-term sustainability. They highlighted how their content is often used as foundational training material for AI systems without proper permission or payment, undermining the economic model that supports quality journalism. The coalition aims to create a framework that allows AI developers to access high-quality, reliable journalism in "legitimate, responsible, and convenient ways" while ensuring publishers maintain control over their content. SPUR seeks to bridge the gap between media organizations and AI developers by promoting transparency and accountability in how AI systems are trained and used. The letter also stressed the importance of addressing issues like consent, attribution, transparency, and trust to preserve public confidence in both news and technology. This initiative is particularly relevant for entertainment and film enthusiasts as it directly impacts the future of content creation and distribution. By ensuring that original journalism is protected and fairly compensated, SPUR aims to maintain the integrity of media while embracing AI's potential responsibly. The coalition's global ambition underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges posed by emerging technologies, ultimately safeguarding the reliability and value of news for audiences worldwide.

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/26/2026