New rules to make tech giants, Meta, Google and TikTok, pay for news or pay government

Meta, Google and TikTok will have to pay Australian news organisations for their content, or pay even more to the Government under a new version of laws aimed at making sure tech giants pay their fair share.

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Katina Curtis
The Nightly
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Meta, Google and TikTok will have to pay Australian news organisations for their content, or pay even more to the Government under a new version of laws aimed at making sure tech giants pay their fair share.

Anthony Albanese unveiled the news bargaining incentive on Tuesday to update the previous regime that has fallen apart after Meta walked away from striking fresh deals with media companies.

“Our government is taking the next steps to ensure that Australian journalism is sustainable now and into the future, by ensuring that large digital platforms cannot avoid their obligations under the news media bargaining code,” he said.

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Under the new system, which the Government will put to Parliament before the end of winter, the tech companies have to pay the government 2.25 per cent of their Australian revenue, unless they strike deals with media companies both large and small.

The government would distribute this revenue to media organisations based on how many journalists they employ.

“The more journalists they have, the more money they will get under this proposal,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said.

“A strong and sustainable news sector matters more than ever today, whether it is the national press gallery, whether it’s local radio, or a small regional newspaper. Journalists are the lifeblood of Australian news; we need more of them, not fewer.”

A draft version of the legislation has been released and will be open for consultation until May 18.

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