Publishing is more vital and relevant than ever
In his introduction to our 2023 Annual Report, Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, reflects on publishing’s role in society and the Publishers Association’s priorities.
As we look back on 2023, I am convinced that publishing is more vital and relevant than ever before.
Publishers are the answer to the challenge of connecting readers and learners with works they can trust and they invest in responsible and innovative technological advancements to make that happen. Our members enrich lives, support education and global research, trigger social mobility and spark cultural and knowledge exchange. The services publishers provide fundamentally help us make sense of the world – that has never been more necessary given the wider content and technology landscape we find ourselves in.
Last year we were proud to champion the value of publishing and we will continue to push this forward in 2024. We wouldn’t be able to do this without the input of our members. I want to thank all of you for everything you do in support of the team here and also offer my specific thanks to the Publishers Association Officers, Antonia Seymour, Perminder Mann and Nigel Newton CBE.
In terms of our core areas of work over the last year, supporting members to navigate the rapid developments in AI was a major priority. We continue to engage with the highest levels of government on behalf of our sector to ensure that the development of generative AI respects IP laws, and does not undermine human creativity but supports it – alongside innovation and the provision of trustworthy information.
Our content protection and enforcement operations went from strength to strength this year – supporting further decisive law enforcement action against Z-Library and PDF Drive, expanding platform outreach and site blocking initiatives, and writing to universities across the UK highlighting the risks of allowing access to unlawful networks like Sci-Hub.
Wider work has encompassed campaigning for fair digital markets and their regulation through flagship legislation, challenging education curriculum policy, supporting UK publishers as an export powerhouse and expanding upon industry-leading sustainability initiatives.
I am so proud of our team at the Publishers Association, and their work to champion UK publishing in so many ways. They work tirelessly for our members and I am very grateful to them for all they do. As we head for a General Election, the publishing and wider creative industries ecosystem needs to pull together in this critical influencing period. Your support really means everything and matters more than ever. Thank you on behalf of everyone at the Publishers Association for your help in making us as effective and influential as possible. The world needs publishers more than ever and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the industry continues to thrive as we move through 2024 and beyond.
You can read more about what the Publishers Association achieved in 2023 in our Annual Report.