Tom WickerMonday 29 March 2021
Journalism has been reshaped and – in the eyes of some – imperilled by the power of the tech giants in today’s world.
Global Insight assesses how journalism can continue to perform its vital role in society as publishers, lawmakers, tech companies and regulators seek to mould its future. When Facebook blocked all news links for Australian users in mid-February, it was a key standoff in an increasingly fierce dispute between factions in the news industry globally and the world’s digital tech giants. Facebook’s action was a response to the Australian government’s proposed News Media Bargaining Code, which was introduced to compel the likes of Google and Facebook to negotiate payment with Australian media companies for their content.
NMA: Public Notices Must Stay In Local Newspapers
The News Media Association has stressed the need for public notices to stay in printed local newspapers after major reforms to the planning system were trailed in Queen’s Speech earlier this week.
A summary of forthcoming legislation said the Planning Bill, reportedly expected in the autumn, said the planning system would be digitised “to make it more visual and easier for local people to meaningfully engage with.”
The NMA and its local memebrs are working on a new project to increase digital engagement with public notices by creating an industry digital portal for public notices including planning and traffic regulation orders, published right across the country.
New Watchdog To Boost Online Competition Launched
The Digital Markets Unit to help make sure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance to crowd out competition and stifle innovation online has been launched.
The Government said the new unit had launched in “shadow” non-statutory form ahead of legislation granting its full powers.
The News Media Association welcomed the launch of the DMU, which will sit within the Competition and Markets Authority and be led by Will Hayter, but called for the legislation to be brought forward as a matter of urgency to save hard pressed local papers from going out of business.
New watchdog to boost online competition launches
A tough new regulator to help make sure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance to crowd out competition and stifle innovation online has launched.
From:
Digital Sec asks it to look at relationships between platforms and content providers
Move aims to spur development of digital services and lower prices for consumers
The Digital Markets Unit (DMU), based in the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will oversee plans to give consumers more choice and control over their data, promote online competition and crack down on unfair practices which can often leave businesses and consumers with less choice and more expensive goods and services.
New regulator to rein in tech giants
A new regulator to help make sure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance to crowd out competition and stifle innovation online has launched.
The Digital Markets Unit (DMU), based in the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will oversee plans to give consumers more choice and control over their data, promote online competition and crack down on unfair practices which can often leave businesses and consumers with less choice and more expensive goods and services.
Online platforms bring huge benefits for businesses and society. They make work easier and quicker and help people stay in touch. But there is a consensus that the concentration of power among a small number of firms is curtailing growth and having negative impacts on consumers and businesses which rely on them.