Google renews with Country Press Australia

Google has renewed its partnership with Country Press Australia (CPA).

The agreement includes the continuation of Google News Showcase across 80 publications in regional communities.

Through Google News Showcase, participating publishers can package the stories that appear in Google’s news products, currently Google News and Discover.

The platform also offers no-charge access to select paywalled articles on a participating publisher’s site that would otherwise only be available to subscribers.

Google News Showcase is also a global content licensing program, with Google paying participating publishers to curate quality journalism. 

In 2021, the ACCC ruled that CPA members were able to collectively negotiate with Google and Facebook over payments for their news content.

Country Press Australia president Andrew Schreyer said Google’s commitment to Country Press Australia and its 240 member mastheads is highly valued, as is the strong relationship the organisation built with the Google team over the past three years.

“The renewal of Country Press Australia‘s agreement with Google shows it values our members’ unique and professionally produced content from rural, regional and local communities in every Australian state and territory," he said.

"And our members value Google’s support as it helps them keep supporting their communities with local public interest journalism that forms an essential piece of democratic infrastructure.

“This is not only a great outcome for Google and Country Press Australia members, but also good for the future of public interest journalism in rural, regional and local communities at a challenging time for the industry.”

Google's head of news partnerships, AUNZ, Nic Hopkins, said local news is essential to informed and thriving communities, and the company recognises the critical role that CPA publications play in delivering this vital service.

"We remain committed to supporting their long-term sustainability and success," said Hopkins.