Australia’s government has unveiled draft legislation requiring tech giants like Meta, Google and TikTok to either strike deals with local news publishers or pay a 2.25% levy on their Australian revenues. The law, News Bargaining Incentive (NBI), aims to ensure journalists are adequately funded after previous efforts failed due to workaround strategies.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the importance of journalism, stating: 'Journalists are the lifeblood of Australia’s media sector.' Critics argue that this move could be seen as a broader push for tech companies to contribute more towards public services, while supporters see it as a fair way to support local news.
Notably, TikTok is now included in the proposed law, expanding its scope beyond just Facebook and Google. Meanwhile, AI services are explicitly excluded from this measure, with Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino explaining that they are being examined through other forums.
The move comes as other countries like Canada, Brazil and the EU grapple with similar issues, with varying degrees of success. Critics of such measures warn that they could stifle innovation and competition while supporters argue it’s necessary to sustain quality journalism in an increasingly digital world.
