Regional publishers back bargaining reform

REGIONAL news publishers have welcomed proposed federal legislation aimed at ensuring global digital platforms fairly compensate Australian journalism, calling it a major step forward for country communities.

Country Press Australia president Damian Morgan said the draft News Bargaining Incentive would help restore balance between major technology companies and the publishers whose content they rely on.

“This is fundamentally about fairness, but it is also about truth, facts and the future of informed communities,” he said.

Under the proposal, platforms such as Meta, TikTok and Google would face charges unless they reach commercial agreements with eligible Australian news organisations.

Mr Morgan said professional journalism required significant investment, yet large platforms continued to benefit from it without supporting the people who produce it.

“Professional journalism costs money to produce. Large digital platforms derive value from that journalism, but they do not employ the local reporters, editors and photographers who create it.”

Country Press Australia, which represents more than 240 regional publications, acknowledged the federal government’s work in developing the legislation and called for bipartisan support.

“Local news is not a Labor issue, a Liberal issue, a National Party issue or a Greens issue. It is an Australian issue,” Mr Morgan said.

The organisation stressed the importance of maintaining access to trusted news, warning against any outcome that could reduce visibility of credible journalism online.

“Reliable news must remain visible and accessible to Australians.”

The issue is particularly critical in regional and rural areas, where local outlets are often the only professional source of verified information.

Mr Morgan said the stakes extended beyond media businesses to the health of democracy itself.

“Without local news media, communities lose more than a publication or a website. They lose a trusted public record.”

Country Press Australia said the final legislation must ensure smaller regional publishers are not overlooked in future agreements.

“Regional Australians must not be treated as an afterthought,” Mr Morgan said.

The organisation is urging Parliament to pass reforms that deliver lasting, practical outcomes for news organisations of all sizes.

“This reform is about keeping facts in front of Australians.”