A Liberal bill that would make computer firms pay media publishers in exchange for posting their news content online is drawing “serious” objections from Google.
Bill C-18, which the government introduced in the spring, would create a framework within which “digital news intermediaries,” or major online platforms, must negotiate deals with eligible news media.
The bill, which is comparable to a law passed in Australia last year, has received positive reviews from news organisations in general, although some have expressed concern about the standards used to select which sites are qualified.
The head of public policy and government relations at Google Canada, Colin McKay, warned a House of Commons committee on Tuesday that the bill as it is now constituted would unintentionally boost propaganda and false information.
According to McKay, a clause in the legislation prohibiting platforms from giving “undue preference” to certain news sources would stop Google from prioritising “trusted information sources” over inferior content.
In other countries, such as Germany, “bad actors” have “gamed and misused” similar provisions, he said, adding that the company plans to propose specific amendments to the committee.
The structure of the bill, according to McKay, favours larger organisations over smaller ones and may encourage the creation of clickbait because Google believes that the number of links that appear on its search engine will effect payments to news organisations.
He reiterated that the organisation supports “a sustainable future for journalism and the news” in Canada, which is an aim of the law.
We want to participate in a detailed discussion about the specifics of this legislation so that it can advance and be implemented in a way that meets the objectives of public policy, he said.
Other witnesses for news organisations told the committee that the law is a significant move that might level the playing field for businesses operating online.
They pointed to the Australian law and argued that a legal requirement for online companies to pay for journalism is long overdue.
Ben Scott, director of Reset Media, stated, “This is real money for genuine journalism. “Laws like these will be passed all over the world, and in my opinion, Canada has a chance to lead and create an example of excellence that will benefit the Canadian public.
One of the sticking points for representatives of smaller outlets is the bill’s provision that media would only qualify to negotiate deals if they have at least two full-time journalists on staff.
Dennis Merrell, executive director of the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association, stated that since almost half of his members would not be able to profit, it “puts us in a bit of an unpleasant place.”
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ president, Kevin Desjardins, asserted that the legislation sets a “low bar” and would stimulate the hiring of additional journalists.
A clause in the measure would protect computer firms who have agreements with news organisations that meet certain requirements, including editorial independence.
Google, according to McKay, has already signed 150 contracts with Canadian publishers, 90% of which are “small, local, or regional.”
The measure would also improve the oversight of the Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and give it the authority to accept complaints from news organisations who claim that online platforms have unfairly disadvantageous effects on their operations.
The regulator would be allowed to levy administrative monetary penalties for any contravention of the new law, and it would be required to hire an independent auditor to prepare an annual report on the impact of the measures on the “Canadian digital news marketplace.
”.
Google expresses “severe concerns” on a proposal to have platforms pay for journalism.
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