Australia to charge Facebook, Google for content
A world-first move aimed at protecting independent journalism
Australia finalised plans on Tuesday (Dec 8) to make Facebook and Google pay its media outlets for news content.
Under laws to go to parliament this week, Big Tech firms must negotiate with publishers and broadcasters how much they pay for content that appears on their platforms.
If they can't strike a deal, a government-appointed arbitrator will decide for them.
The law amounts to the strongest check on the tech giants' market power globally.
And has been strongly opposed by internet heavyweights.
It follows three years of inquiry and consultation, which spilled into a public brawl in August.
The U.S. companies then warned they might stop offering their services in the country.
Facebook Australia said on Tuesday that it would review the legislation.
A representative for Google declined to comment, saying the company had yet to see the final version of the proposed law.
Until recently, most countries have stood by as advertisers redirect spending to the world's biggest social media website and search engine.
Some say it has starved newsrooms of their main revenue source, bringing widespread shutdowns and job losses.
Facebook and Google are thought to take more than four-fifths of Australian online advertising spending between them.
Other countries are taking action too.
This year, a French regulator told Google to negotiate with publishers over payment for news content.
The matter there remains before the courts.
