Australia passes law that forces big tech companies to pay media for their content

SIDNEY.- To an extent of high impact with some repercussions in the rest of the world, Australia passed law that requires large internet tech companies to pay media outlets for their content. The Australian Parliament thus gave birth to the first law in the world to force digital giants like Facebook and Google to pay for the news they broadcast on their platforms, a move that could trigger more comprehensive regulatory action to limit their power.

The law was passed after Facebook and Google struck deals to avoid being subject to binding arbitration. The government has said the law will ensure that news organizations “receive fair compensation for the content they generate, thereby helping to maintain journalism in the public interest in Australia.”

The legislation will ensure that “media companies will receive fair compensation for the content they generate,” Australian Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a statement. “The code is an important microeconomic reform, which has caught the world’s eyes on the Australian Parliament”he added.

Governments around the world were watching the process as they dealt with the ad dominance of Facebook and Google. facing the prospect of cascading measures elsewhere. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he discussed the new law with the leaders of India, Canada, France and Britain.

Last week, after first-instance approval by Congress, Facebook retaliated by removing much of the current content in the country, which included information from government emergency services.

Australian Facebook users have not been able to view local or international media news links, and people living abroad do not have access to Australian news either.

Frydenberg then said that his government was “totally determined” to implement his bill designed to force digital platforms to pay media for the use of their content.

“What the events of today (February 18) confirm to all Australians is the dominant position of these giants in our economy,” he added at the time on his Twitter account.

After discussions with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the government subsequently agreed to change the legislation. Among the key concessions, the government said it would take into account the trade deals Google and Facebook have made with news companies before deciding whether they are subject to the law, and it would also give them a notice period. month.

Platforms have also gained more time to make deals with media publishers before being forced to submit to final offer arbitration as a last resort. Google independently made deals to pay a channel to Australian publishers for news, including News Corp. and Facebook does the same.

Agencia AFP

THE NATION

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