Content Aware media news: July 18, 2024

YouTubers, whistleblowers, and AI makeovers - all in this week's Content Aware weekly newsletter.

Published: 16:39, 18 July 2024

Last updated: 17:03, 18 July 2024

Corbidge comments... on OpenAI's latest absurdity
No room for humour here: our man of letters can barely stifle his incredulity at news OpenAI have tried to demand reporter's notebooks in its case against the New York Times.
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COPIED, not copied 
Coming just in time to save our notes and sources, the bipartisan US COPIED Act seeks to protect artists, journalists and songwriters from the big bad of AI theft and deepfakes. The bill mandates being able to declare clear origin information for digital content, which prevents AI use without consent. Without a doubt a step in the right direction by legislators playing catch-up, but not shy to do so..
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Content converters
Press Gazette recently analysed leading subscription newsbrands to see who are the cream in converting readers to subscribers. The Atlantic and Barron's, both with impressive conversion rates above 20%, lead out. The global newsbrands listed have amassed legions of digital subscribers, with a little help of paywalls and subscription strategies.
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Care in the community
Relevant to our main comment piece, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism's exposé on Philip Morris was ignited by a whistleblower, who risked everything to unveil the company's hidden funding of scientific research. The investigation peered deep into the inner workings of the company, shedding light on the daunting hurdles and risks involved in uncovering corporate misconduct as well as highlighting again the responsibilities reporters grapple with in protecting sources.
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Court in the act
A story about dedication, commitment, and the battle with the commercial realities in court reporting, seen through the eyes of the best. Despite the struggles, exponents remain dedicated to preserving the diverse and sometimes disturbing stories in the public record, fighting for public awareness and judicial transparency.
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Keep AI's hands off of our stuff!
Proof News reveals that every major AI company is at it... and pinching content from each other's platforms and partners is just as acceptable as from anyone else. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission, they say.
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No more secret AI makeovers for images
Google recently updated documentation to label AI-manipulated images using new metadata standards from metadata authority IPTC, to provide additional information about images beyond Google News context. With this change, it will be easier to properly identify images which were manipulated by AI in search results, enhancing transparency and accuracy in displaying AI generated content. For transparency, we work with the IPTC to assess what standards metadata should go in GAIA-generated images.
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Auf Wiedersehen floppy disks!
Recently Japan's Digital Agency announced the elimination of floppy disks in their government systems, and now Germany's F123 frigate fleet is following suit. Ever since they were commissioned in the 1990s, they've been using 8-inch floppy disks and now it's time for a change. However, they've got their work cut out for them, since these disks control basically everything. Makes you wonder what other obsolete tech controls vital operations.
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Meta hearse
More indications that regulators are more than happy to put legal requirements ahead of the product plans of the big platforms, even if that makes them DOA. Meta joins Apple in saying mooted AI products won't make it past EU regulations as they stand.
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