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Bloomberg

Australia’s parliament passed a world-first law to force digital giants such as Facebook and Google to pay local publishers for news content – a move that may unleash more global regulatory action to limit their power.
The legislation was passed on Thursday and will ensure “news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate”, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement.
“The code is a significant microeconomic reform, one that has drawn the eyes of the world on the Australian parliament,” he said.
Regulators around the world have been closely watching the legislation as they grapple with the advertising dominance of Facebook and Google, who now face the prospect of similar measures cascading around the world. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he has discussed the new law with the leaders of India, Canada, France and Britain.
Facebook ‘re-friends’ Australian news after government amends media code
The US technology giants negotiated hard with the Australian government to extract concessions.
Alphabet-owned Google last year said it would shut down its search engine in Australia if the law was enacted. Meanwhile Facebook blocked news on its Australian platform in opposition to the legislation, a dramatic move that drew condemnation from Morrison.
After 11th-hour talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the government agreed to amend the legislation and the social-media platform said it would switch the news back on.


Among key concessions, the government said it would take into account commercial deals Google and Facebook reach with news companies before deciding whether they are subject to the law, and would also give them one month’s notice. The platforms also won more time to reach deals with media publishers before they’re forced into final-offer arbitration as a last resort.
Google has independently struck deals to pay a string Australian publishers for news, including News Corp. and Facebook is doing the same.
Frydenberg said the “government is pleased to see progress by both Google and more recently Facebook in reaching commercial arrangements with Australian news media businesses.”
The new law will be reviewed by Treasury within one year to ensure it is working as intended.


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Australia passes world-first law forcing Facebook, Google to pay for news

The Australian government said it would take into account commercial deals Google and Facebook reach with news companies before deciding whether they are subject to the law. Photo illustration: Reuters

How Facebook’s Australia news ban could pave way for WeChat model

On the Chinese platform WeChat, entire news organisations set up their own platforms known as WeChat Official Accounts. Photo: AFP

For some in China, Facebook’s spat with Australia proves Beijing was wise to block the service

Many in China saw the news of Facebook’s dispute with Australia as a chance to poke fun at the country rather than reflect on China’s stand on the US social media giant. Photo: Reuters

The Facebook Inc. page for ABC News on a smartphone in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Facebook has started restricting the sharing of news on its service in Australia, defying a controversial proposed law that would require technology companies to pay publishers when their articles are posted by users. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

Facebook started restricting the sharing of news on its service in Australia on February 18, defying a proposed law that would require technology companies to pay publishers when their articles are posted by users. Photo: Bloomberg

Google says Australian law on paying for news is unworkable

Legislation proposed in Australia would force Google to compensate news media for the journalism it links to. Photo: Reuters

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Regulators around the world have been closely watching the legislation as they grapple with the advertising dominance held by tech giants
The US firms have negotiated hard to extract concessions, with Facebook temporarily cutting off its news feed in the country



Regulators around the world have been closely watching the legislation as they grapple with the advertising dominance held by tech giants.


Australia passes world-first law forcing Facebook, Google to pay for news

Regulators around the world have been closely watching the legislation as they grapple with the advertising dominance held by tech giants The US firms have negotiated hard to extract concessions, with Facebook temporarily cutting off its news feed in the country

Regulators around the world have been closely watching the legislation as they grapple with the advertising dominance held by tech giants

The US firms have negotiated hard to extract concessions, with Facebook temporarily cutting off its news feed in the country