Australia approved new legislation that establishes a 2.5% tax on the advertising revenue of digital platforms that do not pay news outlets for the use of journalistic content. The measure, called the News Bargaining Incentive, was approved by Congress and aims to force large technology companies to financially contribute to the sustainability of professional journalism.
The tax applies to platforms such as Meta (which controls Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn, all owned by Microsoft. However, companies may pay a lower rate if they sign remuneration agreements with at least eight media outlets.
In addition to the taxation, the legislation also created a subsidy program for small businesses and journalism startups, seeking to strengthen the independent news sector in the country. The goal is to encourage the production of quality journalism at a time when many publications face financial difficulties.
This is considered an innovative move by Australia, which becomes the first country to implement a mechanism of this kind, potentially serving as a model for other nations seeking to regulate the relationship between digital platforms and media outlets.
