Empowering Copyright: Photojournalists and Online Media in search of systemic solutions

On the initiative of the representatives of the section of photojournalists at AJM, a meeting was held today with representatives of the Association of Online Media (Online Media), where current challenges related to copyright and potential models for improvement were discussed.

The meeting was prompted by the problems faced by photojournalists with the unauthorized downloading of author’s photos by some of the country’s media.

The large number of disputes resolved out of court so far indicates an increased awareness of cooperation on the part of both interested parties. Still, there needs to be more systemic solutions that will offer protection of these rights to authors, greater interest among media managers, and, of course, an improvement in the quality of media content.

A model for a platform for sharing professional photos that can grow into an essential resource for enriching media content with quality author photos was also briefly presented by photojournalists.

The representatives of Online Media think that such a platform, which would primarily benefit the members of this association, would be a good model for improved self-regulation in promoting copyright. In addition, they emphasized that the law on copyright and related rights must be improved for better protection not only of photojournalists but also of journalists in the future.

The representatives from the executive office of AJM, who were also present at the meeting, will, in the future, consider potential partners for developing and promoting a platform for sharing professional and author photos.

Regarding copyright, the Association of Journalists published an analysis in January of this year, Metadata Report 2023.