The C-18 bill, also known as the Electronic News Act, was introduced Tuesday and is the latest attempt by the Liberal government to support Canada’s troubled news industry. The new requirement, however, will not apply to platforms that do not represent a “significant trading imbalance,” such as Apple News, or platforms covered by other legislation, such as YouTube, officials said.
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However, if the bill becomes law, platforms such as Facebook and Google can expect some of the profits from the news to go to the organizations behind the content – although it will depend on the regulator, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. and Telecommunications Committee, to decide which stores get a piece of the pie. The story goes on under the ad
Which news agencies can share the revenue?
The criteria that the CRTC will use to identify organizations that are considered news outlets include, first, whether a medium is designated as a Certified Canadian Journalism Organization (QCJO) under Income Tax Act. If a media organization does not select this box, it may qualify if:
Employ two or more journalists in Canada Operates in Canada They are engaged in the production of news content “They do not deal significantly with the production of content that promotes their interests or reports on the activities of an organization”
Both private and public service broadcasters who “produce and publish original news content on the Internet” may be eligible to receive part of the digital giants’ revenue. This means that the CBC, which received more than $ 1 billion from the government in fiscal year 2019-2020, could also benefit from this law. The story goes on under the ad According to the government, 450 private news agencies closed their doors last year as Google and Facebook increased 80% of their online advertising revenue. 5:19 Facebook lifts news ban after agreement with Australian law If the bill becomes law, digital platforms will have about six months to reach an agreement with news organizations – or apply to the CRTC for an exemption. The CRTC will announce its decision on whether to grant these exemptions – and whether private deals between digital giants and news organizations meet its standards – within a year, senior government officials said. But not everything is so transparent about the proposed law. According to the text of the bill, the CRTC must maintain a list of news companies that are “eligible” for this revenue sharing and publish this list on its website. The story goes on under the ad However, in the same vein, Bill C-18 says that the eligible news agency “is only on the list if it gives its consent”. In addition, when pressed on whether the obligation to share profits with reputable news organizations could lead these digital platforms to favor non-news content – such as meme pages that could spread misinformation – on their platforms, senior officials said that provided that digital platforms want to ensure that the services they offer Canadians are “healthy, inclusive” and provide “reliable” information. Canadian Minister of Cultural Heritage Pablo Rodriguez reiterated this position in his press conference on Tuesday, adding that there are penalties for platforms that choose to favor certain news outlets over others in the algorithm.
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That fine, he said, could be as much as “$ 15 million” – the maximum fine the CRTC would be allowed to issue per day. Just as the law will not apply to all those who claim to produce media, it will not apply to every digital platform. There are specific criteria that compel Facebook and Google to comply with the law – with the exception of YouTube and Apple News. Trending Stories
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The bill will only apply to digital platforms that allow “access to and sharing of news content on their platforms” and that have a “significant negotiating imbalance with news companies”. The story goes on under the ad This imbalance is determined by various factors, such as the size of the platform, the market in which the platform operates and the position of the platform in its market.
The early reaction of stakeholders is mixed
Shortly after the government announced its plans, there were reactions from the affected industries. Google Canada said it was still “examining the legislation to understand its implications.” “We fully support Canada’s access to credible news and look forward to working with the government to strengthen the news industry in Canada,” said Lauren Skelly, Google Canada spokeswoman. Meta – Facebook’s parent company – has issued a similar response to the evolution. “We are currently examining the proposed legislation in detail and look forward to consulting with stakeholders as soon as we fully understand what the bill entails.” said Rachel Curran, Meta Public Policy Officer. The story goes on under the ad 5:11 Why Facebook Banned News in Australia Why Facebook Banned News in Australia – February 20, 2021 However, those interested on the other side of the table were clearer in their feelings about the bill. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – of which Global News is a member – called the Bill C-18 “an important step in recognizing the value of broadcasters’ news content.” “A healthy and independent press is a critical cornerstone of the Republic of Canada,” said Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Broadcasting Association, in a statement to Global News. “The fair and equitable compensation of broadcasters for the use and exploitation of their news content is essential to ensure that broadcasters can continue to sustainably fund newscasts and provide news and information to Canadians who inform citizens. and support our democratic institutions. “
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The story goes on under the ad News Media Canada also welcomed the bill, saying it allows news publishers to “bargain collectively on digital platforms and services backed by the teeth of a baseball referee.” “This approach has been a resounding success in Australia, where publishers large and small are entering into meaningful content licensing agreements,” said Jamie Irving, president of News Media Canada. “Reliable information is needed today more than ever, and the real news reported by real journalists costs real money. “This legislation leveles the playing field and gives Canadian news publishers a good chance and does not require additional funds from taxpayers.”
Experts were not impressed with the Bill C-18
However, the proposed law does not have the teeth needed to save the news industry, according to two media experts. Media money problems have been around for a long time, and this latest proposal is a bullet wound, said Dwayne Winseck, a professor at Carleton School of Journalism and Communication and director of the Canadian Media Concentration Research Project. The story goes on under the ad “I think the whole thing is a real dog breakfast, to be honest with you,” Winseck said. “This bill is full of expectations and is being sold as a bailout package – this, I think, (is) really dishonest.” Media revenue rose around 2006, Winseck explained, and the industry has been hit hard by “ill-designed” mergers, recessions and declining consumer interest. 6:18 The hygiene of social media for stress management The hygiene of social media for stress management The bill will not have much of an impact on these major issues, according to Peter Menzies, a former CRTC vice president and former newspaper publisher. “This is a clean shakedown from what I can see,” Menzies said. “The money-losing entities have successfully put pressure on the government and used their own platforms in a biased way to campaign for money gained from the innovation and effort of other entities.” all over the nation “. The story goes on under the ad “I can not see it doing anything other than advocating failed business models to the detriment of innovators and entrepreneurs,” Menzies added.
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The former vice president of the CRTC was also concerned that the government’s decision to instruct the CRTC to …
