Here we go again. Parts of traditional Australia media, in cahoots with politicians whose careers depend on favourable media coverage, are trying to shake down global technology companies.

This shakedown is following the 2021 playbook when Australia’s media bargaining code was introduced. This involved the ACCC misdiagnosing the cause of the crisis facing traditional media, and politicians and media colluding to squeeze $200 million or so a year out of large tech companies like Meta and Google.