February 22nd, 2021
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Microsoft is clearly keen to put the squeeze on Facebook and Google as they either pay for news content or block it. The software firm is teaming up with the European Publishers Council to find a way for news outlets to get paid when tech gatekeepers share their content. They re calling on EU and national governments to implement Australia-style arbitration provisions that set prices based on the benefits for each side, the costs of production and any undue burden[s] payments might impose on the platform owners.
Company VP Casper Klynge argued that a healthy news market was critical to the success of democracy, and that paying for news would support that. He pointed out that Microsoft had launched a local news investment initiative in October, and that Microsoft News had been sharing a large portion of its revenue with publishers.
Microsoft has leaned on the side of the press in an escalating debate over whether tech giants should be forced to pay news organisations for content.
The PC maker is backing an Australia-style system alongside Europe’s press publishers, in a bid to ensure they are fairly remunerated.
It follows Facebook’s decision to ban news from being shared on its platform in Australia last week, over a proposed law that would compel internet firms to pay news organisations.
The social network’s response has led to concern globally, including from the UK’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who is expected to meet Facebook executives to discuss the matter this week.
Microsoft has announced plans to partner with four of Europe s largest media lobby groups to pen laws that mirror those being put forward in Australia forcing tech giants to pay for news.
Microsoft is teaming up with European publishers to push for a system to make big tech platforms pay for news, raising the stakes in the brewing battle led by Australia to get Google and Facebook to pay for journalism.