Small news publishers band together in negotiations with tech giants Google, Facebook – ABC News

A group of small independent publishers from across Australia have banded together to negotiate with Google and Facebook to display their news content on their platforms.

Key point…….

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A group of small independent publishers from across Australia have banded together to negotiate with Google and Facebook to display their news content on their platforms.

It is something larger media organisations, including the ABC, have also had to do since the federal government introduced new laws this year.

The Public Interest Publishers Alliance includes the Tarrengower Times in central Victoria, and the Koondrook and Barham Bridge newspaper on the Murray River on the News South Wales border.

They are part of the Australian Rural and Regional News network along with the Naracoorte Community News, Cape York Weekly, Narrandera Argus, and a host of other regional publications.

The media code introduced last year by the federal government means publishers now must negotiate with the online search engine and social media giants in a bid to have them pay to disseminate and republish news organisations’ content.

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The decision at the time led Facebook to block access to news sites for several days before a compromise was made with the government.

Alliance spokesperson James Harker-Mortlock said after the Seven West Media and Nine networks did deals with Google and Facebook, it left small publishers behind.

“The thing is that unless the federal government designates Facebook and Google, they are not compelled to negotiate with smaller publishers,” he said.

“They can, if they …….

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-30/independent-publishers-begin-negotiations-with-tech-giants/100660660