June
Google ditches million-dollar deals with publishers amid Labor inaction
The search giant has told several small news outlets that it will not honour an agreement that was to expire in 2027, as it reconsiders how it pays for content.
What your news habits say about you – and your age
Television still reigns as Australians’ main source of news, but 18- to 24-year-olds have starkly different habit to their parents.
May
Labor’s big tech challenge will only get harder under Trump
The big tech companies Labor seeks to rein in are growing more powerful in Washington, and the government’s crackdown could be a major sticking point in trade negotiations.
April
Albanese vows to defend media bargaining code from US trade pressure
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese listed the policies that are ‘not up for negotiation’ with the US, including the news media bargaining code.
February
New Trump tariff threat to Australia over ‘plundering’ of tech giants
US President Donald Trump has accused overseas governments of plundering the revenues of US technology companies, putting Australia’s news bargaining incentive squarely in his sights.
January
Trump may retaliate against Labor’s tech levy by doubling expat taxes
Almost 90,000 expats and thousands of Australian companies could see their tax rates doubled unless Labor junks the so-called “news bargaining incentive”.
December 2024
Meta’s news bluff is called
The News Bargaining Incentive is a bespoke measure designed to plug the enforceability gaps in the News Media Bargaining Code.
October 2024
Facebook blasts proposal to levy tech giants to fund journalism
An inquiry into social media looking at Meta’s decision to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code says a levy and new ministry may be needed.
September 2024
Apple, Google, parents should stop kids using social media apps: Meta
The company behind Facebook and Instagram says Apple and Google and their app stores are better placed to prevent children joining social media.
August 2024
Google wants to slash what it pays news outlets as levy calls grow
The search giant has discussed cutting the amount it spends with publishers under the News Media Bargaining Code after Meta declared it would not renew deals.
Lifestyle, culture websites argue for their slice of Meta’s pie
There are more than 440 separate publications on the approved list that Meta could be forced to deal with. Meta reckons that list is too long.
March 2024
Concerns grow as Facebook’s news exit nears
Australians who use Facebook as their main source for news will have to look elsewhere for stories as Meta shuts down its news tab in early April.
Disarm Meta’s nuclear option for news, indie publishers say
Should Facebook and Instagram be legally required to host news on their sites? A group of small and diverse news outlets believes so.
‘Only one opinion matters’: Play hardball with Facebook, insider says
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen says the health of Australian newsrooms and its democracy are on the line in the media versus Meta fight.
The ACCC is asking news outlets if they can live without Facebook
The competition regulator, in letters to major media groups, has sought details about how they make money from and deal with Meta, the platform’s operator.
Meta claims it gives news publishers $115m in free traffic every year
The company behind Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram said that it did not steal content from publishers but provided them with free clicks – valued at 5¢ each.
Richard Holden doesn’t understand economics of media bargaining code
The logic is simple: it’s only fair for Meta to have to pay for the content of media businesses used to gain attention, data and monetised by selling advertising.
Subsidise journalism, don’t shake down big tech
Meta and Google may be where the money is, but that doesn’t mean we should steal it from them. Even if it’s used for a good cause.
The time has come for parliament to fire its cannon – at Meta
The owner of Facebook is an unavoidable partner for many businesses. Our response to their refusal to pay for news will be watched closely around the world.
Labor moves to force Meta news payments
The Facebook owner’s decision to stop paying Australian publishers would cost about $70 million a year and end dozens of jobs once existing contracts expire this year.