Meta has criticised a parliamentary inquiry's proposal to establish a digital affairs portfolio and a tax for tech giants to operate.
An interim report from the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society recommends a Digital Affairs Ministry with responsibility for the coordination of regulation to address the challenges and risks presented by digital platforms.
The News Media Bargaining Code, which was designed to force digital platforms to pay Australian publishers for news, was “broken” and should be replaced with alternative revenue mechanisms, such as a levy system.
Meta told AdNews that its platforms deliver value to news outlets.
“The committee’s recommendations ignore the realities of how our platforms work, the preferences of the people who use them, and the value we provide news publishers who choose to post their content on our platforms,” a spokeswoman said.
Inquiry deputy chair and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said reform and new regulations are urgently needed to hold big corporations accountable.
“While the introduction of the News Media Bargaining Code in 2021 was an important step in regulating global platforms and requiring them to pay some of their fair share when it came to news, an ever-evolving digital world means new regulations and reform must be urgently considered,” she said.
“The potential for Meta to remove news from their platforms will create a void for mis and disinformation, while in turn their refusal to pay for the news it carries will impact Australian jobs and the quality of public interest journalism in Australia. Tech platforms must be held responsible for creating the very spaces that drive division, abuse and conspiracy theories.
“We need laws that protect Australians from the predatory business models of Meta and other social media platforms. This could include requirements to carry news and information in the public interest, and be taxed properly for their activities and profits on Australian soil.”
On Monday, communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced that the government would give $15m to regional and community news.
“Local and community news outlets play a huge role in supporting a diverse and inclusive news media sector that is so vital to the healthy functioning of Australian society and democracy,” she said in a statement.
“We want to see more local journalists and publishers reporting on the issues that matter to their communities.
“This funding will provide the urgent assistance local news outlets need as we continue our work on News MAP – an ongoing program that will enable us to deliver effective support to the Australian news sector into the future.”
The inquiry is due to present its final report on November 18.
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