News – Camden Gazette https://camdengazette.co.uk Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:19:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 News Media Association Responds To Media Green Paper https://camdengazette.co.uk/news-media-association-responds-to-media-green-paper/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:19:40 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/news-media-association-responds-to-media-green-paper/ 23 June 2026 Responding to the Media Green Paper, News Media Association chairman Lord Black of Brentwood said: “A strong and healthy democracy depends upon a wide range of voices, including a diverse and plural media, to debate the issues that matter. “The government is right to highlight the growing problem of misinformation online, but […]]]>

23 June 2026

Responding to the Media Green Paper, News Media Association chairman Lord Black of Brentwood said: “A strong and healthy democracy depends upon a wide range of voices, including a diverse and plural media, to debate the issues that matter.

“The government is right to highlight the growing problem of misinformation online, but the solution must ensure that media diversity is protected, maintaining public access to diverse and plural sources of trusted information.”

NMA chief executive Theo Bamber said: ” Trusted journalism is the antidote to the growing problem of misinformation on social platforms, but any prominence regime must support the diverse media environment that we have in the UK – a key part of our democratic framework.

“So, while we support the government’s intentions in wanting to get people to access trusted news, the method they are proposing here risks obscuring the high-quality, agenda-setting journalism produced everyday by the UK’s independent news publishers and narrowing the range of trusted voices available to people across the country.”

Notes:

  • NMA chief executive Theo Bamber is available for interview on the Media Green Paper.  
  • Huge print and digital audiences – some 45.9 million people every month – for our diverse and plural news media show the public recognise the enormous value of having a wide variety of trusted sources of information available in an increasingly challenged online information ecosystem. 
  • Government must not narrow definitions beyond the ‘recognised news publisher’ in the Online Safety Act. Introducing new criteria to decide which organisations, or what kind of news, gets elevated will create ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ and have a negative impact on public trust.
]]> New Bill Targets Anonymous Bots That Target UK Websites https://camdengazette.co.uk/new-bill-targets-anonymous-bots-that-target-uk-websites/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:22:29 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/new-bill-targets-anonymous-bots-that-target-uk-websites/ 17 June 2026 Damian Hinds MP has introduced the Automated Online Software (Access and Transparency) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill backed by the News Media Association, to crack down on the growing threat to digital businesses – including news publishers – from an overwhelming surge in anonymous bots that extract content, data and value from […]]]>

17 June 2026

Damian Hinds MP has introduced the Automated Online Software (Access and Transparency) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill backed by the News Media Association, to crack down on the growing threat to digital businesses – including news publishers – from an overwhelming surge in anonymous bots that extract content, data and value from their websites.

The scale is escalating fast: overall AI bot traffic rose by 300 per cent in 2025, with agentic AI traffic rising by almost 8,000 per cent. Media websites are among the primary targets, along with online retailers and cultural institutions. News publishers have seen significant falls in web traffic as AI chatbots use bots to pull content from their websites in real time without permission, meaning the user never visits a publisher’s website.

Damian Hinds, the Member of Parliament for East Hampshire, today presents a Private Member’s Bill that would require the operators of bots that systematically access and copy content from UK websites to declare their identity and the purpose of their activity. It will move the internet away from the wild west and ensure that website owners can protect their content, consumers and technological infrastructure.

British businesses are having their websites targeted by an overwhelming surge in anonymous bots that extract content, data and value from their websites. Bots are nothing new, but bot traffic has now overtaken human traffic for the first time – and 99 per cent of bot traffic is unwanted or unverifiable by the website owner.

The costs of serving bot traffic are borne by web operators. In a world of exponentially growing bot traffic and harvesting of data and content to build and operate AI models, bot transparency is vital to the health of the online ecosystem. Some responsible operators already recognise and embrace this by identifying the bots they use and the intended purpose of their bot activity. Such transparency imposes little burden on bot operators.

This lack of basic transparency leaves website owners unable to identify bots and block malicious traffic. It prevents them from negotiating a fair price for access to their valuable content and can even force their websites offline altogether.

Yet many bots routinely fail to identify themselves or state their purpose, with many actively disguising themselves as human traffic or providing false information to evade detection and gain access to UK websites without authorisation.

Some companies deploy bots to feed a growing black market of copied web content, estimated at over $1 billion globally. This and other bot traffic not only extracts value with no return to the website owner, but it can also slow or crash a website in a manner similar to a cyber attack.

The Bill will allow website owners to identify who is trying to access their website and why. This will give them the information they need to deter harmful or costly traffic, allow it if beneficial, or even point bot operators to opportunities to pay a fair price for the value of the content.

Damian Hinds, Member of Parliament for East Hampshire, said: “Too many UK businesses are having their websites raided for valuable content, with no visibility on who is extracting the value from their work. But a functioning economy depends on property rights, and being able to trade and be paid. If news outlets can’t secure fair remuneration for their work, through subscription or ad revenue, journalism will become unsustainable – and there’d be nothing left for the bots to scrape from.

“My Bill will do one simple thing: if you run an online bot that accesses a website and takes content and data, you have to say who you are and what you’ll do with what you take. This isn’t heavy-handed regulation, and it doesn’t seek to regulate AI models or dictate behaviour. It just requires basic transparency. It will give British website owners, from online retailers to local newspapers, the tools to see who’s at their door and the ability to strike a fair deal for what they’ve built.”

Theo Bamber, NMA chief executive, said: “For years, news publishers have watched their journalism taken without permission by unidentified bots. This means they don’t know who is accessing their content and then have no say in how it’s used.

“This Bill will change that by giving publishers, and thousands of other businesses, the right to see who’s trying to gain access to their sites and then negotiate any access on their own terms. It introduces a basic online standard that is long overdue in the AI training gold rush. A standard that will be good for creators of trusted journalism, good for British Business and vital in the pursuit of a healthier internet.”

]]> SLAPP Reform Gains Momentum With Bills In Both Lords and Commons https://camdengazette.co.uk/slapp-reform-gains-momentum-with-bills-in-both-lords-and-commons/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:21:28 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/slapp-reform-gains-momentum-with-bills-in-both-lords-and-commons/ 17 June 2026 In response to the introduction of Anti-SLAPP Private Members’ Bills in both the House of Lords, by Baroness Stowell, and in the House of Commons, by John Whittingdale MP, News Media Association general counsel Sayra Tekin has said: “Strategic lawsuits against public participation are a clear abuse of the legal system, used […]]]>

17 June 2026

In response to the introduction of Anti-SLAPP Private Members’ Bills in both the House of Lords, by Baroness Stowell, and in the House of Commons, by John Whittingdale MP, News Media Association general counsel Sayra Tekin has said:

“Strategic lawsuits against public participation are a clear abuse of the legal system, used to intimidate and silence public interest reporting through cost, delay and pressure rather than merit. Baroness Stowell’s Bill takes a practical and effective approach to tackling this problem, striking the right balance between protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding access to justice by enabling courts to deal with abusive claims early while allowing legitimate cases to proceed.

“This is particularly important for local and regional publishers and freelance journalists, who are often the most exposed to these tactics but least able to absorb the financial and legal burden. With Private Members’ Bills progressing in both Houses, we hope the government will now work constructively with Baroness Stowell and John Whittingdale MP to bring forward legislation that reflects these principles and finally delivers effective protections.”

SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation) are abusive legal tactics used to intimidate and silence those speaking in the public interest (such as journalists, whistleblowers, victims of abuse and others), often through costly, drawn-out proceedings that deter scrutiny and accountability.

]]> NMA Responds To CMA Conduct Requirement For Google Search https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-responds-to-cma-conduct-requirement-for-google-search/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:54:20 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-responds-to-cma-conduct-requirement-for-google-search/ NMA Responds To CMA Conduct Requirement For Google Search – News Media Association Skip to main content 3 June 2026 Responding to the Competition and Markets Authority’s conduct requirement for Google Search published today, News Media Association chief executive Theo Bamber said: “UK news publishers produce some of the most valuable content in the world, […]]]>




NMA Responds To CMA Conduct Requirement For Google Search – News Media Association

















3 June 2026

Responding to the Competition and Markets Authority’s conduct requirement for Google Search published today, News Media Association chief executive Theo Bamber said: “UK news publishers produce some of the most valuable content in the world, but until now dominant platforms like Google have been allowed to dictate the terms of how that content is used. The legally enforceable Conduct Requirements for Google Search published today are a significant step towards levelling the playing field and building a fair, transparent digital economy where premium content is properly respected and fairly compensated.

“Their success now relies on efficient implementation, robust enforcement and the ability to adapt and strengthen the rules if they are not working properly, in a fastmoving technological environment. It’s the job of the CMA to make this happen, but it needs strong and consistent political support. Only then will we see meaningful progress twards a system of fair and reasonable payment for publisher content which is crucial for the future of high-quality journalism.”


]]> Public Notice Portal Launches New Consultation And Archive Services To Deepen Engagement With Public Notices https://camdengazette.co.uk/public-notice-portal-launches-new-consultation-and-archive-services-to-deepen-engagement-with-public-notices/ Thu, 28 May 2026 08:52:50 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/public-notice-portal-launches-new-consultation-and-archive-services-to-deepen-engagement-with-public-notices/ 28 May 2026 New consultation and archive services for the local news media sector’s Public Notice Portal have been launched following a major phase of development with funding from the Google News Initiative. The new PNP consultation function enables members of the public to have their say by providing feedback on individual public notices, which […]]]>

28 May 2026

New consultation and archive services for the local news media sector’s Public Notice Portal have been launched following a major phase of development with funding from the Google News Initiative.

The new PNP consultation function enables members of the public to have their say by providing feedback on individual public notices, which can be accessed by local authorities through a bespoke PNP account dashboard, designed to boost the consultation process.

The dashboard will also give the local authorities and other businesses the means to add data – maps, images, and other information which may be useful to the public – to consultations, strengthening the process still further.

Conducted over the past 18 months by Reach plc, the development was funded by a six-figure grant from the Google News Initiative and continuing support from local publishers. A fully searchable archive of all the public notices on the PNP has also been created.

Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker said: “We are pleased that the recent Local Media Action Plan from the government explicitly referenced the PNP as a key platform for communities to access public notices, leveraging local publishers’ huge audiences.

“With new funding from the Google News Initiative, we have worked hard over the past 18 months to develop new services for the PNP, which will deepen public engagement with the notices and make consultation easier for local authorities and other organisations.

“All this work depends upon a strong statutory link between public notices and local news media environments. It is vital that this link is maintained and strengthened going forward, for the benefit of local communities.”

To promote the new PNP consultation and archive services to local communities, a major advertising campaign funded by local publishers launches today in local news titles across the UK.

Hayley Cochrane, Director of News Partnerships for Google UK and Northern Europe, said: “We are very pleased to support the development of new features for the PNP, which will strengthen local democratic engagement

“PNP is a fantastic example of innovation from the local news sector, which is finding new ways to serve audiences with local news and information. The Google News Initiative is very pleased to support this important work.”

The PNP is an online database for all public notices which appear in printed local newspapers. It harnesses local news media’s massive online audiences – 42 million people every month in print and digital – to deepen engagement with public notices.

News Media Association chief executive Theo Bamber said: “Local news media serve communities by protecting the public’s right to know. These titles ensure that vital information about local decisions remains transparent, visible, and open to scrutiny by professional journalists and the public alike.

“The new features on the PNP make the workings of local government more accessible than ever, upholding critical elements of the UK’s social and democratic fabric at a time when this kind of transparency is under threat.”

The number of PNP registered users – who have signed up for alerts about particular types of planning notices, notices relating to a specific geographic area, or to search the site directly – has nearly doubled over the past year and now stands at 43,000.

In addition to creating the PNP, the local news media sector has also boosted public notices by adopting new guidelines to better publicise public notices, including regular editorial coverage in print and digital, and clear signposting in paper.

]]> Political Journalists Face Growing Deluge Of Spin And Misinformation https://camdengazette.co.uk/political-journalists-face-growing-deluge-of-spin-and-misinformation/ Fri, 15 May 2026 13:53:29 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/political-journalists-face-growing-deluge-of-spin-and-misinformation/ 15 May 2026 Political journalists face a growing deluge of spin and misinformation which is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate to find the truth, leading political editors have said. Speaking at a Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words panel event sponsored by the News Media Association yesterday, four political editors reflected on the turmoil currently […]]]>

15 May 2026

Political journalists face a growing deluge of spin and misinformation which is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate to find the truth, leading political editors have said.

Speaking at a Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words panel event sponsored by the News Media Association yesterday, four political editors reflected on the turmoil currently engulfing government and the challenges of political reporting today.

Talking about misinformation on social media, political editor of the i Caroline Wheeler said media outlets would investigate leads on social media but would often discover that they were not true.

“Journalists spend an increasing amount of time debunking or looking into the things that are written on social media that are not true,” Caroline said.

“Our job has become even harder because of that as well as the fact that we also have to navigate the world of spin which has got much louder because there are more avenues for people to spin those stories.”

“It’s our job to try and chart a way through that – to try and work out what the most accurate information is and what the actual picture is.”

The panel ‘Political Journalism In An Unstable World’ in St Bride’s Church yesterday was chaired by Festival of Words director Damian Collins and attended by around 100 people.

Government is facing “massive public anger” over its failure to deliver on key policy promises, the scandal surrounding Peter Mandelson, and challenges around its communications, the audience heard.

Jessica Elgot, The Guardian deputy political editor, said the government communications “grid” was a “totally busted concept.” “Actually you need to be spending a lot more time building up wider knowledge of each thing that you are doing, each success that you are having, preferably without having massive scandals that overshadow them,” she added.

Jason Groves, Daily Mail political editor, said his title had less access than under previous governments but this had not inhibited the Mail’s ability to report.

“We are further on the outside now but, if you are doing your job properly, you can do it anyway.” Jason added. “You’ve still got other people you can talk to who know what’s going on.”

Jack Elsom, The Sun political editor, said a key challenge facing political journalists was reaching people on Instagram and TikTok where Reform UK and the Green Party had successfully engaged supporters.

“At the moment Reform, Greens – to a lesser extent other parties who don’t occupy those spaces as much – can sell their message to a massive audience unchallenged in a 10 second clip so for journalists to use that platform and try to sell our stories on these platforms is going to be a real issue in the coming years,” Jack said.

]]> King’s Speech Fails To Deliver Promised Anti-SLAPP Protections https://camdengazette.co.uk/kings-speech-fails-to-deliver-promised-anti-slapp-protections/ Wed, 13 May 2026 15:51:17 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/kings-speech-fails-to-deliver-promised-anti-slapp-protections/ 13 May 2026 In response to the King’s Speech today, Sayra Tekin, general counsel, News Media Association, has said: “We are disappointed that the government has not used the King’s Speech to take forward its longstanding and widely supported commitment to legislate against SLAPPs. A suitable legislative vehicle must now be identified as a matter […]]]>

13 May 2026

In response to the King’s Speech today, Sayra Tekin, general counsel, News Media Association, has said:

“We are disappointed that the government has not used the King’s Speech to take forward its longstanding and widely supported commitment to legislate against SLAPPs. A suitable legislative vehicle must now be identified as a matter of priority.

“The government is right to support effective and timely CMA decision-making, but not at the expense of the regulator’s independence. It must also reaffirm support for robust and rapid implementation of the Digital Markets Unit regime. 

“For the government’s competition objectives to be effective, its proposed ‘Growth Duty’ for regulators must promote long-term, sustainable growth for UK businesses, not short-term gains for dominant platforms. Any legislation for AI sandboxes must safeguard the UK’s gold standard copyright framework and the value of trusted journalism.”

]]> NMA Coordinates National SLAPPs Day of Action With UK Anti‑SLAPP Coalition https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-coordinates-national-slapps-day-of-action-with-uk-anti-slapp-coalition/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:03:03 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-coordinates-national-slapps-day-of-action-with-uk-anti-slapp-coalition/ 15 April 2026 Local news organisations across the UK are today taking part in a coordinated Day of Action against abusive legal threats known as SLAPPs, led by the News Media Association in partnership with the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition. The day brings together publishers to highlight the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation […]]]>

15 April 2026

Local news organisations across the UK are today taking part in a coordinated Day of Action against abusive legal threats known as SLAPPs, led by the News Media Association in partnership with the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition.

The day brings together publishers to highlight the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation to intimidate journalists and suppress reporting in the public interest, and to urge the Government to deliver robust anti-SLAPP legislation.

Publishers are marking the Day of Action through op-eds and letters to MPs, underlining the particular vulnerability of local and regional newsrooms to costly and time-consuming legal intimidation.

The NMA and the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition are calling on the Government to include comprehensive, cross-cutting anti-SLAPP measures in the King’s Speech in May.

Owen Meredith, NMA chief executive, said: “SLAPPs thrive in silence, using the threat of costly and intimidating legal action to shut down journalism in the public interest.

“This SLAPPs Day of Action is a timely opportunity to shine a light on the growing misuse of the legal system and its chilling effect on journalists and newsrooms, particularly at a local level.

“As the Government sets out its priorities in the King’s Speech, there is a clear and urgent need for comprehensive anti-SLAPP legislation to properly safeguard public interest journalism and uphold freedom of expression.”

David Higgerson, chief content officer at Reach plc, said: “SLAPPs are not about seeking justice – they are about silencing journalism. When legal threats are used as a weapon, they chill reporting and deprive the public of information they have a right to know.”

James Mitchinson, editor at The Yorkshire Post, said: “Journalists should not have to weigh the public interest against the threat of financial ruin. Strong, effective anti-SLAPP protections are essential if scrutiny journalism is to survive.”

Jon Gripton, group editorial director, Tindle Newspapers, said: “Freedom of expression and accountable journalism are cornerstones of our democracy. Tackling SLAPPs is about protecting those principles and ensuring they endure.”

Notes to editors

  • Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are legal actions used to harass and intimidate those speaking out on matters of public interest.
  • The Day of Action is coordinated by the News Media Association with the UK Anti‑SLAPP Coalition, a network of free‑expression, media freedom and civil society organisations.
]]> NMA Appoints Theo Bamber As Next Chief Executive https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-appoints-theo-bamber-as-next-chief-executive/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:53:07 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/nma-appoints-theo-bamber-as-next-chief-executive/ 13 April 2026 The News Media Association, the voice of the UK’s local and national news media industry, has announced the appointment of Theo Bamber as its next chief executive. Theo is currently chief policy and public affairs officer at the Music Publishers’ Association, with a wealth of experience working in agencies to support a […]]]>

13 April 2026

The News Media Association, the voice of the UK’s local and national news media industry, has announced the appointment of Theo Bamber as its next chief executive.

Theo is currently chief policy and public affairs officer at the Music Publishers’ Association, with a wealth of experience working in agencies to support a range of clients, including many in the creative sectors.

Theo will succeed Owen Meredith, the current chief executive, who is joining dmg media in May.

NMA chairman Lord Black of Brentwood said: “We are delighted that Theo will be joining us as the NMA’s CEO, as the news industry focusses on the long-term sustainability of frontline news gathering and reporting. As AI continues to disrupt how users discover information and makes generation and dissemination of misleading content ever easier, news brands deliver readers with trusted news and information, a vital antidote to mis and disinformation. Theo has an outstanding track record in political and government affairs and brings a wealth of experience to lead the NMA’s advocacy as this critical time.

“I pay enormous tribute to Owen Meredith for his exemplary leadership of the NMA over five tumultuous years for our industry. He has led the Association with the greatest skill, energy and vision at a time of rapid change – not least in the legislative environment in which we operate.

“He has transformed the NMA’s communications and its profile within Westminster, built formidable relationships with stakeholders – not least with the Make It Fair campaign – and successfully navigated landmark legislation, including the Online Safety Act, the Digital Markets Act and the Media Act. I am delighted he is staying within the industry. We wish him well and look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Theo Bamber said: “The UK’s news media is the heartbeat of our democracy, but its vital role is too often taken for granted. The NMA’s next chapter is about turning recent, hard-won legislative progress into long-term commercial security and sustainability for the entire industry.

“I am privileged to be leading the NMA at such a pivotal time— championing our free and diverse press, promoting professional journalism and its role in holding power to account, and protecting the value created in newsrooms across the country.”

Theo will join the NMA on 18 May.

]]> News Media Association Responds to Government Statement on AI and Copyright https://camdengazette.co.uk/news-media-association-responds-to-government-statement-on-ai-and-copyright/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:02:05 +0000 https://camdengazette.co.uk/news-media-association-responds-to-government-statement-on-ai-and-copyright/ News Media Association Responds to Government Statement on AI and Copyright – News Media Association Skip to main content 18 March 2026 Responding to the statement made today on AI and copyright by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, News Media Association chief executive, Owen Meredith, has said: “We […]]]>




News Media Association Responds to Government Statement on AI and Copyright – News Media Association

















18 March 2026

Responding to the statement made today on AI and copyright by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, News Media Association chief executive, Owen Meredith, has said:

“We are pleased that the government has listened to concerns and taken the unworkable opt-out copyright exception off the table, recognising that giving away our goldmine of creative content is not the way to drive UK growth. By the same logic, the government must now swiftly dismiss other exceptions that could be even more harmful, particularly an exception for ‘science and research’ or ‘commercial research’.

“AI firms should now focus on meaningful engagement with news publishers to secure licenses to access their rich breadth of content, and the government must make clear that this is what they expect. Scaling a dynamic licensing market will support the government’s ambition for the UK to have the fastest AI adoption in the G7, with the presence of high-quality news content being crucial to building trust in AI models”.


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