Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has called negotiations between Google and Australia's biggest publishers "a world first" for rewarding original journalism.
In a surprise doorstop this afternoon, Mr Frydenberg said agreements between news creators and Google "will help sustain public interest journalism in this country for years to come".
The announcement comes after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning which said Google has agreed to pay Nine Entertainment Co more than $30 million a year for use of its news content.
Nine is the publisher of the Sydney Morning Herald and this website.
READ MORE: Senate inquiry backs proposed media bargaining code
Mr Frydenberg said he understood other media businesses, including Nine, were currently in talks to finalise a deal with the digital platform.
A spokesperson for Nine said discussions are ongoing.
"We continue to have constructive discussions with the digital platforms and when we have anything to announce we will do so to the ASX as is appropriate," A spokesperson for Nine said.
READ MORE: Google relationship 'much more positive' after talks with CEO: PM
Two days ago Seven West Media struck a deal with Google reportedly worth $30 million to appear in the search engine's "News Showcase" product.
The deal comes amid a tense battle between Australia's biggest news publishers and multinational companies such as Google and Facebook over the nation's proposed media bargaining code, which would see Google pay for original news content.
The Treasurer said he still intends to legislate the code.
READ MORE: Google may shut off search function rather than pay for news content
"The first objective is to get commercial agreements to be struck between the parties. That is work currently under way and is looking very promising indeed," Mr Frydenberg said.
"The second objective has been to legislate the code. That is our intention in the coming days.
"Thirdly, we have sought to keep the major players in Australia, as you know, Google had talked about leaving Australia. We never wanted that."
READ MORE: Australia throws spanner in Google's Fitbit buy
What is Google's News Showcase?
Google's News Showcase is a free mobile feature for users that aims to highlight original news stories and investigations for Australian users.
In some instances, it will allow Google users behind the paywall of publishers in Australia.
In an open letter earlier this month, Google's Head of News, Web & Publishing Product Partnerships Kate Beddoe explained how the News Showcase product will work.
READ MORE: Former Facebook teen-in-residence takes on gaming challenge
"News Showcase contributes to a sustainable business model and helps deepen their relationships with readers," Ms Beddoe explained.
"Panels on News Showcase display an enhanced view of an article or articles, giving participating publishers more ways to bring important news to readers and explain it in their own voice, along with more direct control of presentation and branding.
"The panels will appear across Google News on Android, iOS and the mobile web, and in Discover on iOS, bringing high-value traffic to a publisher's site."
News Showcase will pay publishers a fixed monthly payment, dependant on the deal brokered between Google and the publisher.
from 9News https://ift.tt/3dlcaRu
via IFTTT
0 Comments