As information continues to become more easily available and accessible through various digital platforms, media outlets are increasingly controlling what is availed to major tech companies. Facebook was responding to a new law by the Australian government that compels tech giants such as Facebook and Google to pay Australian media outlets for news content on the platforms. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in so doing, Australia would become the first country to require Facebook and Google to pay for news content provided by media companies under a royalty-style system. “Australia cannot set a trend because our market is not the same,” said former ICT Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo. According to Clegg, news links are a small part of most Facebook users’ experience, and the tech firm should not be asked to pay an exorbitant price for the same.

Source: Standard Digital March 08, 2021 21:00 UTC