New Zealand laws to require Facebook, Google to pay for news

Robert Besser
09 Dec 2022, 05:34 GMT+10

The New Zealand government will introduce a law requiring major online digital companies to pay New Zealand media companies for the local news content that appears on feeds
Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson said that the law will be similar to equivalent legislation in Australia and Canada
The law is meant to encourage large digital platforms to reach financial agreements with local news outlets

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The government of New Zealand said it will introduce a law requiring major online digital companies, such as Google and Facebook, to pay New Zealand media companies for the local news content that appears on feeds.

In a statement, Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson said that the law will be similar to equivalent legislation in Australia and Canada, with the aim of encouraging large digital platforms to reach financial agreements with local news outlets.

"New Zealand news media, particularly small regional and community newspapers, are struggling to remain financially viable as more advertising moves online. It is critical that those benefiting from their news content actually pay for it," Jackson said.

The governing Labour Party's majority is expected to pass the new legislation when it goes to a vote in parliament.

In 2021, Australia introduced a similar law that allowed the government to require internet companies to negotiate content supply deals with media outlets, which was found to have mainly worked, according to a review released by the Australian government last week.

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