Australia to force tech giants to pay for news media – DW – 12/12/2024
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A majority of people read the news on Google and Facebook but news publishers responsible for content earn much less than tech companies. A new framework in Australia is set to change that.

Summary

Australia proposed new rules requiring tech giants like Meta, Google, and TikTok to pay Australian media outlets for news content on their platforms.

Starting January 2025, companies earning over AU$250 million annually in Australia must either negotiate agreements with publishers or face taxes.

The policy aims to support journalism and ensure media organizations receive fair compensation.

Critics like Meta argue the rules misunderstand platform dynamics, as most users don’t visit for news.

This follows Australia’s broader efforts to regulate big tech, including bans on underage social media use and penalties for disinformation.

    • @[email protected]English
      4•1 day ago

      “We’ve created a fixed pool, or a fund model, that’s going to now be distributed centrally by one bargaining unit, in proportion to the number of journalists that the members have. Which is what we thought this should be and what Google and Meta thought this should be all along,” he said.

      Looks like 100M collectively? I’m not clear if this is for search or YouTube, but if search, I didn’t know they valued it’s quality so much.