The New Zealand government plans to introduce a law that will require Big Tech companies, like Meta and Google, to pay mainstream media companies for local news content. “New Zealand news media, particularly small regional and community newspapers, are struggling to remain financially viable as more advertising moves online,” said Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson. “It is critical that those benefiting from their news content actually pay for it.”
Jackson said that the legislation will be modeled around similar laws proposed in Canada and Australia, and the government hopes that it will force online platforms to reach content deals with local news organizations.
Australia’s law gave the government the power to force Big Tech to negotiate content deals with local outlets. New Zealand’s legislation is most likely to pass in the Labour Party majority parliament.
