Is Making Big Tech Pay For News in Australia Working? 🇦🇺

Australian regulators made waves when they announced in early 2021 that tech platforms would need to start paying news outlets for displaying content. Reacting to this proposed change in how news would be shared on platforms, Google CEO Sundar Pichai went as far as to threaten Google would completely cease operations in Australia. Australia eventually called Google’s bluff (as we recommended they do at the time) and the proposed code became law. Under the Australian law, tech platforms can negotiate their own deals with publishers on the side rather than have the Australian government arbitrate.

Looking back now on this legislation, while it’s not perfect, overall I think it has been a success and a rare win against big tech. Google and Facebook have both negotiated deals with publishers in Australia and reports indicate that the journalism sector is bullish and on an upward trajectory in Australia. I’m happy to hear other nations are now considering enacting similar policy and hope that U.S. tech regulators will take notes here!

#journalism #NewsOutlets #bigtech

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