The president of Spain’s largest newspaper publishers' association warns that artificial intelligence must not be built on unauthorised copyrighted content, highlighting industry concerns as AI reshapes journalism and threatens to exacerbate misinformation.

The president of Spain’s largest association of newspaper publishers has warned that artificial intelligence must not be built on the unauthorised use of copyrighted material, arguing that the sector faces a decisive adjustment as the technology reshapes how news is created, distributed and consumed. Speaking at the opening of CLABE’s 20th Editors’ Congress in Logroño, Arsenio Escolar said publishers now face a new digital environment that demands adaptation if they are to remain viable.

According to CLABE, the association represents 225 business groups and around 1,500 titles across print and digital formats, ranging from specialist publications to niche outlets. Escolar said that diversity gives the organisation a broad view of the pressures on the Spanish media industry, which has already been forced to adapt to one major technological shift with the rise of the internet and now confronts a second, potentially more disruptive one with AI.

He also linked the spread of generative tools to the rise in misinformation, saying that AI systems can make it easier for manipulated images and false content to circulate as authentic. At the same time, he argued that human judgement remains irreplaceable, insisting that creativity and talent cannot be overtaken by machines.

The concerns echo wider debates in publishing and journalism. The Authors Guild and other industry groups have raised similar objections to AI models trained on protected works, while academic research and policy discussions have increasingly focused on how copyright, authorship and compensation should be handled in the age of machine-generated content. Spain has already moved to update its copyright framework in recent years, reflecting the country’s effort to balance digital innovation with protection for creators.

Source Reference Map

Inspired by headline at: [1]

Sources by paragraph: - Paragraph 1: [2], [4] - Paragraph 2: [1], [2] - Paragraph 3: [1], [2] - Paragraph 4: [3], [5], [6], [7]

Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

  • https://www.cmjornal.pt/tecnologia/detalhe/editores-de-imprensa-espanhola-advertem-que-ia-nao-pode-ser-desenvolvida-a-custa-dos-direitos-de-autor - Please view link - unable to able to access data
  • https://clabe.org/2024/12/19/intervencion-arsenio-escolar-presidente-de-club-abierto-de-editores/ - In his speech at the 20th Editors' Congress, Arsenio Escolar, president of CLABE, emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) should not be developed at the expense of copyright holders. He highlighted the need for media to adapt to the new environment created by AI, noting that failure to do so could threaten their survival. Escolar also addressed the rise of misinformation and 'fake news' facilitated by AI technologies, stressing that AI will never surpass human intelligence, as creativity and talent are irreplaceable.
  • https://www.clmp.org/news/ai-101-series-6-genai-news-affecting-publishers-and-authors/ - This article discusses the impact of generative AI (GenAI) on publishers and authors, highlighting concerns over AI-generated content and its implications for copyright. It covers various perspectives, including legal challenges, ethical considerations, and the need for publishers to adapt to technological advancements while protecting their intellectual property rights.
  • https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/society/future-work-media/20230419135505182604.html - The 17th CLABE Editors' Congress, held at Nebrija University in Madrid, focused on the future of publishers and the media in the context of technological advancements, including AI. The congress aimed to explore how media can adapt to the digital revolution and the challenges posed by new technologies.
  • https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ESMP/article/view/88081 - This paper examines how artificial intelligence, combined with blockchain technology and smart contracts, can address issues of intellectual property, copyright, and fake news in journalism. It presents the MediaVerse tool, which utilizes AI, blockchain, and smart contracts for authorship registration and monitoring, and compares its capabilities with opinions from focus groups of university professors and journalism professionals.
  • https://kwsn.com/2021/11/02/spain-adopts-eu-copyright-law-paving-way-for-google-news-to-return/ - Spain's Culture Ministry announced the adoption of a new EU copyright law, aligning national legislation with the digital environment and ensuring fair remuneration for artists and creators. Arsenio Escolar, chairman of the CLABE publishers association, expressed satisfaction with the legislation, stating that media publishers have regained control over their rights, which were previously considered unjust and harmful.
  • https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/12/5/85 - This article assesses the legal implications of AI systems-aided news production on journalism practices, focusing on authorship and copyright issues. It examines how automated news affects legal categories such as authorship, originality, and the application of intellectual property rights, proposing a shorter term of duration before entering the public domain while considering moral rights.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The article was published on April 16, 2026, which is recent. However, the content references events from December 2024, which may affect the perceived freshness. The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of being recycled from other sources. The article is based on a press release from the Club Abierto de Editores (CLABE), which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Arsenio Escolar, president of CLABE. These quotes are consistent with his previous statements found in other sources. However, the earliest known usage of these quotes cannot be determined, raising concerns about their originality. No variations in wording were found, but the inability to independently verify the earliest usage of these quotes is a concern.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The primary source is a press release from CLABE, which is a reputable organisation within Spain's media industry. However, as the source is self-published, it may lack independent verification. The article also references other sources, including Atalayar and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), which are less well-known and may not be as reliable. The reliance on a single, self-published source and lesser-known references raises concerns about the overall reliability of the information.

Plausibility check

Score: 7

Notes: The claims made in the article align with known industry concerns about AI and copyright. Similar discussions have been reported by other reputable outlets. However, the lack of direct quotes from independent sources and the reliance on a single press release reduce the overall plausibility score.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The article presents information based on a press release from CLABE, which raises concerns about the independence and reliability of the source. The inability to independently verify the earliest usage of direct quotes further diminishes the credibility of the content. While the claims are plausible and align with known industry concerns, the lack of independent verification and reliance on a single source lead to a FAIL verdict with medium confidence.