A NEW push has been launched by Country Press Australia urging politicians from all parties to support the Federal Government’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive.<\/p>\n
The call follows the release of draft legislation for public consultation on November 24.<\/p>\n
Country Press Australia (CPA) has praised the Federal Government for taking what it says is the first critical step toward making the News Bargaining Incentive law in Australia. CPA President Damian Morgan said the Incentive is “a strong and necessary step toward securing the future of public interest journalism across regional Australia.”<\/p>\n
The News Bargaining Incentive builds on the News Media Bargaining Code, which created ongoing payments from Google and Meta to news producers for the use of their content.<\/p>\n
While Google has continued to make payments, Meta walked away. With the draft legislation now open for consultation, CPA is urging parliamentarians across the political divide to support the next phase of reform by securing payments from global social media companies, including Meta and TikTok.<\/p>\n
“For too long, much of the advertising revenue that once funded local journalism has been captured by global technology platforms with monopolistic power,” Mr Morgan said.<\/p>\n
“These global social media corporations dominate the digital advertising market but invest nothing back into the communities from which they profit. Their business models depend on the work of journalists yet contribute nothing to sustaining the local reporting that keeps communities connected and holds institutions to account.”<\/p>\n
The media release notes that in some local government areas there are now no independent journalists left to report on council meetings, scrutinise public decisions, celebrate achievements or keep communities connected.<\/p>\n
“When local journalism disappears, transparency and trust in local democracy disappear with it,” Mr Morgan said.<\/p>\n
“The News Bargaining Incentive is a practical, bipartisan opportunity to help rebalance this inequity, to recognise the public value of journalism, and to sustain the people and businesses who produce it.”<\/p>\n
CPA is calling for all members of Parliament to advocate for the swift passage of the legislation once consultation concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW push has been launched by Country Press Australia urging politicians from all parties to support the Federal Government’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive. The call follows the release of draft legislation for public consultation on November 24. Country Press Australia (CPA) has praised the Federal Government for taking what it says is the first […]<\/p>\n