Heritage Minister introduces law to boost Canada’s news industry
Posted April 5, 2022 4:30 pm.
Canada is looking at enforcing tech companies to pay local news publishers for content.
It’s the latest move by the federal government to help struggling media companies, which have seen online advertising revenue drain away to the tech giants.
Heritage Minister, Pablo Rodriguez, introduced a bill called the Online News Act.
The bill, designed to support Canada’s independent media, is modelled on an Australian law making tech companies such as Google and Meta pay for news content on their platforms.
The law would set up a process for digital platforms to privately negotiate deals with newspapers, magazines and digital news groups, as well as broadcasters that publish news online.
News organizations will be able to team up to bargain collectively with digital giants.
A free and independent press is essential to Canada’s democracy. We’re asking tech giants to fairly compensate publishers and journalists for their work and to contribute to the sustainability of local, independent news in Canada. #cdnpoli #C18 pic.twitter.com/7OeMK1N6Sx
— Pablo Rodriguez (@pablorodriguez) April 5, 2022
If they cannot reach a deal, the tech platforms will be forced into mediation and arbitration with news outlets.
Digital platforms that fail to comply with the new law could face financial penalties.
The proposed legislation is designed to help a Canadian media sector that saw 450 outlets close between 2008 and 2021.
With files from The Canadian Press
