News Media Association

Google Offers Publishers AI Opt-Out Amid Ongoing Concerns

Following a UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) consultation, Google has agreed to develop controls allowing publishers to opt out of generative-AI features in Google Search, including being cited in 'AI Overviews' or used for wider model training. Publisher responses to the CMA (including the BBC, Financial Times, Guardian Media Group, DMG Media and trade bodies) welcomed greater control but warned that effectiveness depends on design choices — notably separation of AI crawlers from standard search crawlers, granular opt-in/opt-out by use case (grounding, training, fine-tuning), and protections against Google accessing publisher content via third-party dataset deals. Views differ on default settings: some publishers and trade groups want publishers opted out by default, while Google contests the claim that its AI features harm publishers.

UK Government Unveils £12M Fund to Revive Local News

UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced a government strategy to protect and strengthen local news, including a £12 million fund for local media digital innovation and government commitments to pilot and direct ad spend into regional and hyperlocal outlets. The fund will be allocated via a centrally managed competitive bidding process to print, online, radio and TV outlets and to third-party businesses building industry-wide tools (for example ad tech, apps and website infrastructure). The strategy also includes increased investment in community radio, the creation of a Regional Media Forum in the West of England, and a review of statutory requirements for councils to publish certain notices in print with a view to digitalisation. Industry bodies including the News Media Association and the Society of Editors welcomed the measures; the announcement cites concerns that up to 37 local authority districts lack a dedicated local outlet, creating news deserts affecting about 4.4 million people.

Advertisers Urged to Embrace Quality News for Brand Safety

The op-ed argues that brand safety debates have deterred advertisers from news content, despite its societal value. It notes current approaches rely on complex custom segments and broad keyword blocking, which narrows reach and hampers optimization. Citing WARC, it highlights a decline in investment in publisher-produced content, and reports publishers ring-fence about two-fifths of inventory (roughly 1,400 news articles per month). Stagwell’s research is cited: ads next to news on politically sensitive topics scored 66% across brand favourability, purchase consideration, and perception, while sports/entertainment placements were only marginally higher. The piece emphasizes that news yields strong engagement, with dwell times averaging 1 minute 39 seconds per article over 30 days. It advocates more flexible placements—homepage takeovers, news CPM campaigns—and notes industry voices like Bountiful Cow’s 'Back Don’t Block' and Newsworks. The author concludes advertisers should be braver to support quality, regulated news journalism.