Governments around the world continue to consider if and how digital platforms should be mandated to share revenues with media outlets for the publication of news content. Following the model of Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code, the Government of Canada has just announced the Online News Act (Bill C-18), which compels digital platforms to engage with outlets and pay for news. 

On April 14, 2022, Supriya Dwivedi, Director of Policy and Engagement at the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, hosted a discussion with a panel of experts to provide an initial analysis and reaction to the tabled legislation, what it includes and what may have been left out.

Joining this discussion were Bill Grueskin, professor of professional practice at Columbia Journalism School, Edward Greenspon, president & CEO of the Public Policy Forum, Jessica Johnson, editor-in-chief of The Walrus, Taylor Owen, director of McGill Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, Rachel Pulfer, executive director of Journalists for Human Rights, Anya Schiffrin, director of the Technology, Media, and Communications at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and David Skok, CEO & editor-in-chief at The Logic.