As expected, the Polish Sonia Draga became the first female president of the influential Federation of European Publishers (FEE) at the beginning of November, for a two-year term. In an interview given to Weekly Booksshe discusses the current and future issues in the coming months, with artificial intelligence (AI) in the background and now the technical discussions around the directives directly concerning book stakeholders on a European scale.
Weekly Books : What is your reaction to the announcement of the arrest in Algeria of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal?
Sonia Draga : The situation is very worrying. Boualem Sansal, whom I also published in Poland, is an essential figure in contemporary literature, and the pressures he faces for his opinions and writings are alarming. This shows how fragile freedom of expression remains, even in Europe. As publishers, we have a collective responsibility to protect these voices and ensure they are heard, without fear of censorship or retaliation. The FEE is following this matter closely and reaffirms its unwavering support for freedom of publication. We intervened with the European Commission and the European Parliament, which also debated the subject in plenary on Wednesday November 27, and we will work tirelessly for the freedom of Boualem Sansal.
You were elected president of the FEE last month. What are your priorities?
It was a surprise when I realized that I was the first woman elected to this position. In fact, I will also be the second person from an Eastern European country, from a post-communist region, to hold this position. This represents a big challenge for me: to first show that as women we can perfectly assume this type of responsibilities. My goal is to represent the entire industry, all genders, and all rights. Then, it is also about showing that emerging countries, such as those in Eastern Europe or small countries that appeared on the European scene barely 20 years ago, can be important. My priorities are multiple, but they all converge towards one main objective: strengthening the unity and resilience of the book sector in Europe.
“No harmonization from below”
This includes defending copyright in a rapidly changing technological context, fighting for better representation of independent publishers and promoting cultural diversity. I also want to intensify our dialogue with the European institutions so that they better understand the specific challenges we face, particularly in the face of digital platforms and market concentration.
European directives and rules will soon impact book professionals. What role should the FEE play on these subjects?
We are at a pivotal moment. Initiatives like the copyright directive or discussions around AI are generating profound changes. The Copyright Directive, for example, aims to protect publishers’ investment and ensure fair remuneration for creators in the digital world, but its implementation varies from country to country, which creates imbalances. That said, harmonization from below (certain national legislation is not favorable to publishing) should not weaken our sector even further. FEE works actively to ensure that these laws protect the interests of authors and publishers. Likewise, with the arrival of new rules on sustainability (the deforestation regulation) and the accessibility of digital books, we must ensure that these measures are realistic and do not penalize publishers, especially small structures.
How do you currently perceive the book market on a European scale?
The book market in Europe is both resilient and changing. We see strong demand for diverse content, but also increasing pressure due to the concentration of distribution channels and the dominance of large platforms. Publishers must constantly adapt, whether responding to the rise of digital formats or promoting print books in an increasingly competitive environment.
« Ethical and fair use of AI »
It is crucial to support the entire book ecosystem, including independent bookstores, which play a key role in the dissemination of works. In Europe, cultural wealth remains an asset, but it must be defended in the face of standardization.
You come from Poland. How do you judge the development of the book market in Central and Eastern Europe?
The book market in Central and Eastern Europe has made impressive progress in recent decades, but it remains marked by specific challenges. In countries like Poland, Hungary or the Czech Republic, we are seeing the rise of local publishers, but they often face budgetary constraints and a limited audience. In addition, public policies to support books, such as reading programs or subsidies for bookstores, are often insufficient. However, I remain optimistic: readers in this region are showing a growing interest in international works, and local publishers are becoming more and more daring in their editorial choices.
The challenge of AI for the book industry on a European scale is important. What does the FEE have to say about this subject?
Artificial intelligence represents both an opportunity and a threat for the book sector. It offers innovative tools for the production and distribution of content, but it also raises complex questions regarding copyright. Using existing works to train AI models, for example, raises issues of remuneration and respect for creators’ rights. The FEE continues to campaign within the framework of the European Act for solutions that guarantee the ethical and equitable use of AI through the necessary transparency. We also encourage publishers to explore the benefits this technology can offer, while remaining vigilant about its implications for cultural diversity and content integrity.
Do you think there is a “European approach” to this, different from that of other regions of the world?
Probably, yes. Other continents are letting AI tools develop unchecked. In the United States, for example, large technology companies dominate this sector. In Europe, we tend to regulate things more, and we feel these threats. If we do nothing, we risk losing our identities. We are already seeing lawsuits related to the use of actors’ voices or images without their permission. Rather than resolving these issues in court, which is costly, it is better to protect our rights upstream.
Related News :