News Corp Executive Urges Australia to Enforce Payment for News Content by Meta

Key Points

• Michael Miller of News Corp Australia (NWSA) urges the Australian government to enforce payment for news content by Meta under the Media Bargaining Code.
• Miller highlights broader concerns about social media's impact on mental health, scams, and misogyny, advocating for a comprehensive regulatory framework.
• Potential enforcement of the 2021 law could lead Meta to restrict users from reposting news articles, reflecting ongoing global tensions between news publishers and tech giants.

In this news

In a recent development, Michael Miller, the executive chairman of News Corp Australia (NWSA), has called on the Australian government to compel Meta Platforms to pay news companies for the content shared on Facebook. This plea comes under the Media Bargaining Code, a law enacted in 2021 that mandates tech giants to negotiate payment terms with news publishers. Miller emphasized the need for Meta to engage in good faith negotiations and honor existing agreements, highlighting the imbalance in advertising revenue distribution between news publishers and internet giants like Facebook.

Miller's advocacy for stricter regulations extends beyond financial compensation. He raised concerns about the broader societal impacts of social media, including mental health issues, scams, and misogyny. Miller proposed a comprehensive regulatory framework to hold tech companies accountable and safeguard Australian citizens. The executive's comments come amid growing global scrutiny of social media platforms and their influence on public discourse and well-being.

The potential enforcement of the 2021 law could lead to significant changes in how news content is shared on social media. If Australia follows through, Meta might restrict users from reposting news articles, similar to its response in Canada. This scenario underscores the ongoing tension between news publishers seeking fair compensation and tech giants aiming to maintain their business models. The outcome of this regulatory push could set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar issues.