The Future of News: AI, New Revenues and Risks and the Policy Response

As AI transforms how media is created and consumed, critical questions are emerging around copyright, consent and compensation.

This panel unpacks the policy and business implications for news publishers and content creators, from legislation to platform accountability.

Tommy Binion, Vice President at OnMessage Inc., shares the results of groundbreaking research that reveals what Americans really think about AI and its impact on trust in media:

• 76% are concerned about AI stealing or reproducing journalism and local news stories, with 51% being very concerned.
• 77% support, and 59% strongly support, Congress passing a law that would make it illegal for AI to steal or reproduce journalism and local news stories that are published online without permission or compensation.
• Only 26% trust information produced by AI, while 68% say it is not trustworthy.
• 72% believe the federal government should place guardrails on AI to protect consumers.

“This data reflects a real and growing concern among Americans that AI could erode the integrity of journalism and undermine the trusted connection between broadcasters and the communities we serve,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

“Scraping broadcasters’ content without permission or compensation strips away context and threatens the credibility of local news. This conversation at NAB Show New York is just the beginning of a critical national dialogue to ensure new technologies support, rather than exploit, trusted local journalism, as well as the necessity of a level playing field for broadcasters to fairly negotiate the terms of use with AI platforms.”

The panel also explored the business pressures AI creates for local newsrooms — where shrinking margins, high production costs and increasing content misappropriation by AI systems threaten the sustainability of fact-based, community-focused journalism.

Moderated by:

Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters

Speakers:

• Tommy Binion, vice president, OnMessage Inc.
• Nick Radziul, executive vice president, Hearst Television
• Jon Schleuss, president, NewsGuild-CWA
• Brad Silver, vice president, Global Head of Public Policy, AI, and IP, Advance