Australian Government resolves to make Google and Facebook pay for the news content to the media agencies in the country. This new order has been released by the government in order to cope with the decrease in advertising revenue amid the coronavirus crisis. The government officials said on Monday that the digital platforms need to remunerate the media outlets in the country to use their news content.
Australia Demands Google and Facebook to Pay to the Media Outlets for News Content
Josh Frydenberg, the Treasurer of the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), is likely to release a draft in late July, which will detail the rules for the platforms to pay the agencies for the content received through news fairly. The Treasurer added that the country would not bow down and successfully make Facebook and Google pay for the story.
Frydenberg further said,
“We won’t bow to their threats; we understand the challenge that we face. This is a big mountain to climb. These are big companies that we are dealing with, but there is also so much at stake, so we’re prepared for this fight.”
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Australia to adopt competition law
Australian Communication Minister also added that country would take the competition law instead of the copyright law, unlike European nations. On the other hand, Facebook and Google revealed that they are trying to negotiate with ACCC for a voluntary code in view of the November deadline.
Facebook Discontent with the Decision
Facebook Managing Director Will Easton, who looks after Australia and New Zealand, issued a statement expressing discontent with the government order. We’re disappointed by the Government’s announcement, primarily as we’ve worked hard to meet their agreed deadline,”
Facebook Australia MD issued a statement
Facebook Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Will Easton said in a statement.
“COVID-19 has impacted every business and industry across the country, including publishers, which is why we announced a new, global investment to support news organizations at a time when advertising revenue is declining”
PC: NBC News
Google also stated the matter
Google’s spokesperson mentioned,
“We have sought to work constructively with industry, the ACCC, and government to develop a code of conduct, and we will continue to do so in the revised process set out by the government today.”
Google and Facebook to pay media outlets in millions of dollars
Frydenberg did not provide the estimates for the amount the tech giants would need to pay to the Australia news agencies; however, it would be in millions of dollars undoubtedly.