The overriding sticking point was Google and Facebook’s stonewalling on payment for content, the ACCC told the government. Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Monday that he supported the Australian competition regulator’s work on the code. “I spoke to the CEO of Google just last week, and continue to invite them to participate in that process. While smaller publishers and regional media have labelled Facebook’s threat an overreaction, some are concerned it will prevent the code achieving its aims. Private Media’s chairman, Eric Beecher, has said Facebook’s decision meant the government’s “two-pronged bargaining code is left with just one prong, Google”.

Source: The Guardian September 07, 2020 06:33 UTC