A VERY big deal: The Canadian government has reached an agreement with Google with the Online News Act
In three weeks, the Online News Act (otherwise known as Bill C-18) is scheduled to come into effect, meaning that companies like Google and Meta will need to start paying for their use of Canadian news sources. While Meta/Facebook has already restricted access to Canadian news sources and is no longer negotiation with the Fed, Google has hanging back to see if a deal could be worked out.
And guess what? According to the CBC, a deal has apparently been reached. This could be the difference between life and death in so many areas of Canadian journalism.
Canadian news will continue to be shared on Google’s platforms. Google will make an annual payment of $100 million to Canadian news companies. (The Feds wanted $172 million initially, but they’re apparently willing to settle for almost half that. Still, better than nothing. Here’s the government’s statement on the situation.)
Bill C-18 will only apply to digital platforms who (a) have 20 million unique monthly users and (b) more than annual revenues of $1 billion.
Your move, Meta.
(Via the CBC)
Any word as to how this $100 million will be distributed to Canadian news companies? Or is it all going to go to Bellmedia, the Canadian Press and the CBC, leaving nothing for community radio and regional/independent newspapers? I’m presuming online Canadian media are non-starters, whether they may have been blocked by Meta or not (although it’s understood we’re talking Google here, although I presume they likely would have blocked the same sources).