Competition Ministers Discuss Tools for Supporting Journalism
Anya Schiffrin
April 27, 2021
On April 15, 2021 Director, Taylor Owen and Professor Anya Schiffrin, Director of the Technology, Media, and Communications at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, led a discussion with Australia’s Rod Sims, Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the architect of the controversial Australian News Media Code which requires Google and Facebook to pay for news.
The panel of five global competition ministers including Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada’s lead on the file asked: Can the Code be replicated in other countries? Should it be? How should it be adapted to ensure the Code helps independent news and not just large media houses? Is there a danger of capture if Google and Facebook start handing out large amounts of money to journalism outlets around the world?
Co-moderator Anya Schiffrin offers a reflection on the panel and the ways Australia’s decision has shaped or influenced the policy conservation regarding journalism in other national contexts.
While some officials, such as those in Canada, have decided to follow Australia’s lead to some degree, other countries have taken different approaches to regulating big tech and funding publishers. Others, such as those in South Africa have noted the importance of international coordination in regulation and competition policy.
If you missed it, you can watch the full panel discussion here.
Read the full article below.
