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Articles by: "DCN"

digital dove flying off of a screen to portray press freedom on World Press Freedom Day
Featured Post | Policy | Press Release

In Support of World Press Freedom Day

In recognition of World Press Freedom Day tomorrow May 3rd, DCN reaffirms the importance of a free, independent press.  Around the world, media organizations face escalating governmental threats, including efforts to reshape regulation, restrict access to information, defund public media, and discredit quality journalism.

At the same time, a few powerful technology platforms are eroding journalism’s foundations both economically and ethically. Google has been found guilty of illegally monopolizing search and ad tech, inflicting measurable harm on publishers. And a Meta whistleblower recently testified that CEO Mark Zuckerberg not only sought to crush the news industry, but also personally led efforts to build censorship tools for the Chinese government—actions fundamentally at odds with a free press.

These threats, whether overt, covert or systemic, make it difficult for the free press to flourish. And, in a world where journalism cannot thrive, truth fades, power operates without scrutiny, and people are left without the information they need to understand and shape the forces that affect their lives.

We stand with our members—premium publishers rooted in integrity, trust, and journalistic excellence—and with journalists around the globe who uphold truth in the face of adversity. A healthy media ecosystem depends on a vibrant press that is protected, sustainable, and supported by its communities. We urge publishers, policymakers, advertisers, and the public to actively support its future.

Here are several ways to engage and show support:

  • Subscribe to trusted news organizations: Direct support from audiences strengthens the ability of newsrooms to produce independent, high-quality journalism.
  • Support public media: Visit Protect My Public Media today to learn more and to contact your elected representatives about the importance of public media.
  • Champion clean, brand-safe advertising environments: Advertisers and agencies can take action by aligning budgets with trusted, high-quality publishers.
  • Support and amplify trusted journalism: Share credible reporting widely to counter the spread of misinformation, just as bad actors amplify disinformation.
  • Stand with journalists at home and abroad: Organizations like Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Federation of Journalists, and UNESCO are among those doing important work to protect press freedom and journalists under threat.
  • Push back on platform dominance: Advocate for policies that ensure fair competition and protect the original work of news organizations to support diverse, local, and independent journalism.
  • Foster media literacy: Encourage educational initiatives that help audiences identify credible sources and value factual reporting.

Press freedom is not a guarantee; it is a shared responsibility. It is a right that we must steadfastly defend.

Featured Post | Policy

The monumental stakes of the Google ad tech trial

Jason Kint, September 5th, 2024
Capitol Forum – Antitrust Trial of the Century Conference
Remarks given at The National Press Club in Washington D.C.

Trying to compete in the advertising market with Google is a bit like trying to play poker with someone who not only knows all the cards in everyone’s hands but also gets to set the rules, deal the cards, call the bets, and take a significant cut of the winnings.  

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 10 years since we sounded the alarm at DCN. As you likely know, DCN was purpose built to advance the future for premium publishers who trust us to understand and advocate for high-quality news and entertainment.  

Back then in 2014, as the digital advertising industry was booming – often growing by 15-20% per year – we noticed something disturbing. Almost all of the incremental revenue growth was being captured by just two companies: Google and Facebook. And it wasn’t just because they were simply competing better in the advertising business – it was due to unprecedented access to data, what many now rightly call surveillance advertising. 

And that brings us to why we’re here today: the adtech antitrust case, United States vs. Google. Why are we so focused on this case? Because it is monumental. This case is laser-focused on Google’s dominance over the entire advertising supply chain which funds most of its operations, particularly through the software and data that fuel this real-time, live auction marketplace…

Listen to Jason Kint’s full endnote speech from Capitol Forum’s September 2024 conference on remedies and the Google ad-tech trial:

Featured Post | Policy

The antitrust trial of the United States v. Google

September 9, 2024 marks the start of the antitrust trial United States v. Google. This follows closely on the heels of the landmark antitrust case in which S District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google “is a monopolist and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.”.

In this antitrust case, Google is accused of illegally monopolizing the $700B+ digital advertising industry by virtue of owning the dominant service for advertisers buying ads, the dominant service for publishers selling ads and the dominant exchange where bids are awarded. As the evidence will show, Google has systematically abused its dominant position through acquisitions and anticompetitive behavior to protect its monopoly, suppress competition and maintain their unique ability to collect a treasure trove of data about consumers. As a result, Google exerts outsized control over where revenue flows with dire impacts on journalism. The Department of Justice is rightly seeking to break up this monopoly in order to increase competition and innovation for advertisers, publishers and consumers.

We’ve partnered with other industry organizations to create a site that offers a wide range of resources to provide background on the case itself as well as regular trial updates. We also created an informational video in an effort to provide clarity and transparency in the digital advertising marketplace (in support of the AMERICA Act), which illustrates and explain some of the complexities in the digital advertising ecosystem that will be central to this trial.

Hear insights about the trial, what’s at stake, and what possible outcomes look like from DCN CEO, Jason Kint:

Capitol Forum | Jason Kint on the US vs. Google Antitrust Trial

Better Offline | The Department of Justice V Google Ads: Part 1

The Current | 5 Minutes with Digital Content Next’s Jason Kint

Follow Jason Kint’s X feed for daily updates on the trial

Advertising | Featured Post | Policy

DOJ wins Google search case

On August 5, US District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google “is a monopolist and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly” in search and in text ads. The trial will now move to the “remedies” stage where the judge will hear arguments about what fixes should be imposed going forward including impact on the developing GAI market as captured here. 

Google has already announced it will appeal the ruling but this represents a significant milestone in our years long effort to call attention to Google’s anticompetitive behavior. Indeed, DCN first met with officials at the Department of Justice in 2017 on this matter before ramping up in late 2018. It also comes at a sensitive time for Google with the Department of Justice’s second trial (adtech) set for opening arguments on September 9th with many relevant findings from this decision carrying over to that case.

We will conduct an analysis of the ruling, which we plan to share with our membership in the coming days.

Jason Kint, CEO – DCN & Chris Pedigo, SVP of Government Affairs – DCN

Policy

DCN stands with global media community as Google and Meta threaten to take down news in Canada

DCN stands with publishers around the globe in reaction to Facebook and Google’s efforts to undermine Canada’s new law to help address the imbalance in market power. Digital Content Next was one of 18 media organizations worldwide that issued a joint statement on July 5, 2023 in response to Google and Meta’s threat to take down news in Canada after Canada’s parliament passed the Online News Act (C-18) in June.

In the words of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “This is not just a dispute over advertising, it is also dispute over democracy. It’s a question of recognizing the role internet giants—like Facebook Meta, Google and others—have in our lives and therefore the responsibility they also wield.  …this goes to the core of a free and informed society that is able to take responsible decisions in a democracy citizens need to have access to quality journalism that is properly paid.

The fact that Facebook doesn’t want to recognize the hard work of professional journalists is something that undermines the very fabric of democracy. So, Canada—and allies around the world—are going to stand strong and demonstrate that we will not flinch in our defense of fundamental foundational principles of democracy like a free, quality, informed press.”

Read the full joint statement here.

Featured Post | Innovation | Perspectives

Navigating the ethical landscape of generative AI and journalism

At the 2023 Collision Conference, held June 26-30 in Toronto Canada, DCN’s editorial director Michelle Manafy sat down with three media executives to discuss the ethics of using generative AI in journalism. The conversation covered the evolution of AI and its usage in the media, up to today’s much-discussed generative AI tools. Panelists weighed in on a range of use cases and where they would – or would not – permit (or even encourage) the use of generative AI in their media organizations. They also discussed whether or not generative AI is an existential threat to journalism, journalists — and even humanity as a whole. Listen to the discussion here and/or read a few highlights below.

Navigating the ethical landscape of generative AI and journalism

Featuring:

  • Gideon Lichfield – Global Editorial Director, Wired
  • Harry McCracken – Global Technology Editor, Fast Company
  • Traci Mabrey – Head of News, Factiva
  • Michelle Manafy – Editorial Director, Digital Content Next

A few highlights from the panel discussion:

Traci Mabrey: We’ve been using [machine learning and AI] forever and that’s a really important component as we look at this. This new horizon is going to be something, and I don’t think any of us know exactly what that is yet. But we have been using the building blocks of it for quite some time…

Gideon Lichfield: I think what’s changed is that it now has the capability to produce something that looks like something humans would create from scratch. And I emphasize looks like because it’s very clear that what’s going on is imitation… the fact that it became available as an easy to use interface was really crucial… this technology was around already for a few years, but it wasn’t that easy to access. The big change last year was just that it became easy to access…

Michelle Manafy: We’ve heard of late that some big tech leaders, some really smart folks call generative AI an existential threat. Are we afraid? Should we be afraid? And I don’t just mean as the media. You guys all think about larger issues in society. Is this good? Is it bad? Should we all be scared?

Harry McCracken: I think the worrying about it blowing up the world or killing us all is a little overwrought, particularly because there’s a pretty long list of genuine concerns that are either an issue right now or pretty clearly will be over the next few years involving things like misinformation. There are huge privacy concerns with a handful of large companies grabbing all our data and synthesizing that for their own benefit. I’d say there are plenty of things to worry about with A.I… but destroying the world might be more like the way that social media has, in a lot of ways, degraded the human experience…

Gideon Lichfield: …the increasing volume of just sheer garbage that is out there that is going to be generated by AI: that’s a that’s a real worry. And the job displacement part is also a thing that I worry about. But I think there is a way to use it. There is a way to use A.I. that empowers people, gives them extra tools. But it’s also a great temptation for companies, for employers to simply look at it as a way to save costs…

Harry McCracken: …Journalism is unusual in that the writing is the product. Most of the writing that exists in the world is not the product, just the byproduct. There are a lot of cases where having a computer draft your internal memo or whatever makes a lot of sense and will fill you up to do more important things…

Traci Mabrey: …I think if we look at our journalists and our editors around the world, there’s a very personal scope that goes into everything somebody is writing and somebody is speaking about. And I think that’s a really big component when you look at it. The technology, as Gideon was saying, it is bringing up a set of words. It’s able to make 500 words on X topic regarding this. But that is not the way that I would infuse that information into the world. And it’s not those types of things that make organic journalism and all of the real nuggets that we get from it… I think for the drafting process and the information gathering, certainly saving a lot of time. But we’re certainly on the path of that being a still a very personal end product.

Learn more about how media leaders are developing their policies around the usage of AI and generative AI in their organizations:

Media organizations grapple with developing AI policies

Perspectives

Big Noises Podcast: Michelle Manafy on the media’s universal problems

Media Voices co-host Peter Houston is tired of hearing the same old industry buzzwords. The publishing platitudes are starting to wear a bit thin, and he’s decided to see if he can shake the conversation up a bit by speaking to some of the biggest characters in the business.

The latest episode of Media Voices’ Big Noises podcast features Michelle Manafy, Editorial Director at Digital Content Next (DCN).

Check out the episode here.

Michelle started out as a journalist. The rise of digital media saw her embrace the changes and after working for a range of publications, from alt weeklies to B2B titles, she joined what was then the OPA to help premium publishers with their ongoing their digital evolution. She now manages online content and events for the group, which is known as DCN.

More than a decade in, Michelle still has hope for the media, but is frustrated by many of the publishing practices she sees. “Now we’re in a world where two thirds of our job is to rise above the noise. ‘Listen to me. Look at me’ right? Are we providing a value exchange? When people give us that gift of their attention, do we provide them with value… was it worth their time?”

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Perspectives

How media brands are honoring Juneteenth this year

DCN is proud to support our members and the health of the digital media industry overall. Thus, we are pleased to share some of the incredible work our members and other media companies are doing to recognize Juneteenth and its cultural significance in the American experience.

AdAge | Black Americans say brands should celebrate Juneteenth, if done right

AP News | The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday

Axios | Juneteenth celebrations at Austin’s Carver Museum

Axios | This week’s Embrace Ideas Festival for Juneteenth

BET | BET Bookmark: Your Juneteenth (Kids) Holiday Reading List

BET | White House Announces Star-Studded Juneteenth Concert

BET | Juneteenth: South Carolina Town Removes Juneteenth Banner Displaying White Couple

bon appétit | 15 Vibrant Recipes to Celebrate Juneteenth

BostonGlobe.com | Nineteen ways to celebrate the historical events of Juneteenth in Boston and beyond

BostonGlobe.com | The gentrification of Juneteenth

CBSNews Pittsburgh | Juneteenth youth fest takes place at Mellon Park

Digiday | Why Black creators say brands are ‘quiet as a mouse’ on Black History Month and Juneteenth this year

Insider | 5 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in 2023, including Black-owned brands to support, causes to donate to, and destinations to visit

Insider | This simple and tasty potato salad recipe is the perfect side dish for Juneteenth cookouts

Louiville Courier Journal | What is Juneteenth? 6 things to know about America’s newest federal holiday

NBC12 | 2023 Juneteenth Events in Central Virginia

NBCNews | A family celebrates Juneteenth in Mexico — where their Black ancestors first found freedom

PBS | Lesson Plan: History of Juneteenth and why it’s now a national holiday

Pew Research Center | More than half of states will recognize Juneteenth as an official public holiday in 2023

SF Chronicle | ‘Day of liberation’: S.F.’s first Juneteenth Parade attracts hundreds

Smithsonian Magazine | Juneteenth: Our Other Independence Day

TedEd | Juneteenth youth fest takes place at Mellon Park

The National Desk | Disney series bashed for saying descendants of slaves have ‘earned’ reparations, US hasn’t ‘atoned’ for racism

The New York Times | From Martha’s Vineyard to Cleveland: Celebrating the Day Slavery Ended

The New York Times | Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday

The New York Times | 4 Recipes for a Memorable Juneteenth Celebration

The Root | Juneteenth Is Now Recognized As A State Holiday In Nevada

The Root | Juneteenth 2023: A List of Juneteenth Books for the Entire Family

The Root | Cheat Sheet: What is Juneteenth?

USA Today | ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’ gets Texas portrait

Vox | Vox’s June Highlight Issue: Discrimination Everywhere

Washington Post | Mural artist Reginald C. Adams on commemorating Juneteenth

Washington Post | The 15 best ways to celebrate Juneteenth in the D.C. area

Featured Post | Innovation | Perspectives | Policy

DCN’s Principles for Development and Governance of Generative AI

PDF Version
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

1) Developers and deployers of GAI must respect creators’ rights to their content. Developers and deployers of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) systems—as well as legislators, regulators and other parties involved in drafting laws and policies regulating GAI—must respect the value of creators’ proprietary content.

2) Publishers are entitled to negotiate for and receive fair compensation for use of their IP. Use of original content by GAI systems for training, surfacing or synthesizing is not authorized by most publishers’ terms and conditions, or contemplated by existing agreements (for example, for search). GAI system developers and deployers should not be crawling, ingesting or using publishers’ proprietary content for these three stages without express authorization.

3) Copyright laws protect content creators from the unlicensed use of their content. Like all other uses of copyrighted works, use of copyrighted works in AI systems are subject to analysis under copyright and fair use law. Most of the use of publishers’ original content by AI systems for both training and output purposes would likely be found to go far beyond the scope of fair use as set forth in the Copyright Act and established case law. Exceptions to copyright protections for text and data mining (TDM) should be narrowly tailored to not damage content publishers or become pathways for uses that would otherwise require permission. 

TRANSPARENCY

4) GAI systems should be transparent to publishers and users. Strong regulations and policies imposing proportionate transparency requirements are needed to the extent necessary for publishers to enforce their IP rights where publishers’ copyright-protected content is included in training datasets. Generative outputs that use publisher content should include clear and prominent attributions in a way that identifies to users the original sources of the output (not third-party news aggregators) and encourages users to navigate to those sources. Users should also be provided with comprehensible information about how such systems operate to make judgments about system quality and trustworthiness.

ACCOUNTABILITY

5) Deployers of GAI systems should be held accountable for system outputs. GAI systems pose risks for competition and public trust in publishers’ content. This can be compounded by GAI systems generating content that improperly attributes false information to publishers. Deployers of GAI systems should be legally responsible for the output of their systems.

FAIRNESS

6) GAI systems should not create, or risk creating, unfair market or competition outcomes. Regulators should be attuned to ensuring GAI systems are designed, trained, deployed, and used in a way that is compliant with competition laws and principles.

SAFETY

7) GAI systems should be safe and address privacy risks. Collection and use of personal data in GAI system design, training and use should be minimal, disclosed to users in an easily understandable manner and in line with Fair Information Privacy Principles (FIPPS). Systems should not reinforce biases or facilitate discrimination.

PDF Version
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Perspectives

DCN’s must reads: week of May 18, 2023

Here are some of the best media stories our team has read so far this week:

DCN’s must reads: week of May 11, 2023

AMERICA Act screencap placeholder, which supports digital advertising accountability
Policy | Press Release

Digital Content Next Endorses Bi-Partisan AMERICA Act to Protect Trust in Online Advertising

NEW YORK – March 30, 2023 – In an effort to provide clarity and transparency in the digital advertising marketplace, Digital Content Next (DCN), the trade association that exclusively represents more than 60 high quality digital media companies and thousands of trusted media brands, endorses the bi-partisan bill, the AMERICA Act.  

“The digital advertising marketplace operates like a financial marketplace with brokers representing buyers and sellers. But, unlike financial markets, there are no requirements for transparency and there are no rules to avoid conflicts of interest and insider trading.” said Jason Kint, CEO of Digital Content Next. “We support the AMERICA Act because it will reinforce the basic free market tenets of competition and transparency in digital advertising, which fuels the online content we all read and love and are a necessity for all sorts of businesses – small and large – to efficiently reach consumers.” 

As alleged by the Department of Justice and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, the digital advertising marketplace is plagued by shady middlemen charging exorbitant fees and engaging in questionable business practices which ultimately translates into higher costs and reduced privacy for consumers. While dominant ad tech companies make huge profits, publishers and advertisers get squeezed. And high costs are passed on to American consumers. 

“This lack of competition in digital advertising means that monopoly rents are being imposed upon every website that is ad-supported and every company—small, medium, or large—that relies on internet advertising to grow its business,“ said U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). “It is essentially a tax on thousands of American businesses, and thus a tax on millions of American consumers.”  

If you’d like to watch or share a version without captions, click here.

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