The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has launched a public consultation on Google’s exemption application under the Online News Act, formerly known as Bill C-18.
The Online News Act, which received Royal Assent last June and came into force in December, aims to bring fair compensation for Canadian news organizations by online platforms that distribute Canadian news content. The Act mandates the CRTC to establish and oversee a bargaining framework to support fair negotiations between news organizations and major online platforms. Google and the feds came to a deal in November.
As for Meta? It decided to block sharing of news links on its apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Threads, to comply with the Online News Act.
The CRTC is also responsible for implementing the government’s regulations, which allow online platforms to request an exemption from negotiating with individual news organizations if they reach an agreement with a representative organization of a broad range of Canadian news organizations.
On June 7, 2024, Google filed an agreement with an organization tasked with administering funds to Canadian news businesses and requested an exemption from the bargaining requirements. Google will pay $100 million per year for five years. Originally, federal government estimates put Google’s contribution at $172 million per year.
“Managing $500 million over five years is a responsibility that should be discharged honestly, in good faith, and in lockstep with the integrity of the Online News Act and its Regulations,” said Paul Deegan, president and chief executive officer of News Media Canada yesterday. The groups represents a wide variety of big news publishers in Canada.
So media organizations that have failing business models that cannot compete with smart Google engineers, are being bailed out by the government, which is forcing big tech’s hand to pay its share. Advertising online is something Google has mastered and it shouldn’t be penalized for setting up a complex solution that others can’t compete with.
The CRTC is accepting comments on Google’s exemption request until July 29, 2024, available online, by mail, phone or fax (!). All comments received will be part of the public record and will inform the CRTC’s decision.
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Umm no, Google will only pay for one year 😇
I've been without the news on my feeds for quite some time now, rather refreshing and I've noticed fellow Canadians in general have a much more positive attitude than a year ago. The lack of politically divisive news in everyone's Facebook may actually have done some good.
No, no exemption. If I want news I will go to the official pages of news channels.