Make Google and Facebook pay for posting the news they don't make
Big tech produces no public interest journalism while drawing advertising away from those who do. The new media code will correct a market failure that threatens democracy.
During next week's final sitting of parliament, the Morrison government plans to unveil the final form of its legislation for the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code. The aim of the controversial code is to require Google and Facebook to pay for their use of the news content of Australian media businesses.
While it may not be perfect, the controversial code is a solution to the problem created by the rise of big tech: the erosion of the advertising revenue and the business model for public interest journalism.
