Australia to Charge Meta, Google, TikTok for News Content to Strengthen Bargaining Mechanism

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australia today announced draft legislation intended to levy fees on tech giants such as Meta, Google, and TikTok unless they voluntarily reach deals to pay Australian media for news content. As more readers access news through social media, global traditional media organizations are facing a survival crisis. The Australian government wants large tech companies to compensate Australian news publishers for the news content shared on their platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that tech giants will have the opportunity to reach content agreements with Australian news publishers; if they refuse to cooperate, the authorities will impose a mandatory fee equivalent to 2.25% of their Australian revenue. 'Large digital platforms cannot evade their obligations under the News Media Bargaining Code,' Albanese told the media. The draft aims to prevent tech giants from unilaterally removing news content, a tactic used by Meta and Google in overseas markets previously. Supporters argue that social platforms attract users through news content and seize advertising revenue that should have flowed to news media. Research from the University of Canberra shows that over half of Australians use social media as their primary news source.