New rules aim at fair payments for content in Australia

Australia’s government is set to introduce new rules requiring major tech companies to pay Australian media outlets for news content. Companies such as Meta and Google could face millions in charges if they fail to reach commercial agreements with publishers. The Assistant Treasurer emphasised that the rules aim to foster fair negotiations, with charges applying only to platforms earning over $250 million in Australian revenue.

The proposed regulations follow previous efforts to hold tech firms accountable for news content. Laws passed in 2021 required firms to compensate publishers, leading to temporary disruptions on Meta’s platforms before agreements were reached. However, Meta announced it would end those arrangements by 2024, scaling back its promotion of news globally.

The plan has drawn criticism from tech companies, who argue that most users do not access platforms for news and that publishers willingly share content for exposure. Despite these objections, Australian media organisations, including News Corp, anticipate benefits. The government’s broader efforts to regulate Big Tech include banning under-16s from social media and targeting scams.

Australia’s bold stance continues to set precedents for handling global tech giants, adding to growing international scrutiny. News publishers are optimistic about forming new commercial relationships under the proposed framework.