THE Australian government has unveiled its plan to force tech giants such as Google and Facebook to pay news outlets for their content.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the “world-leading” draft code of conduct aimed to give publishers “a level playing field to ensure a fair go.”
Many news outlets have shut or shed jobs this year amid falling profits.
Facebook and Google strongly oppose the proposal, even suggesting they could walk away from Australia’s news market.
Frydenberg said the code of conduct – drafted by Australia’s competition regulator – would be debated by parliament.
It could impose “substantial penalties” worth hundreds of millions of dollars on tech companies which fail to comply, he said.
The code will initially focus on Google and Facebook but could be expanded to other tech companies, the treasurer said. (BBC)
