Google and the Canadian Government Reach a Deal on Online News Act
The Government of Canada and Google have reached a deal on the Online News Act (C-18), just three weeks before the act is scheduled to come into effect. The deal will see Google continue to show Canadian news on its platforms in exchange for annual payments to Canadian news publishers in the range of $100 million.
A Significant Financial Benefit for Canadian News Publishers
The deal is a significant victory for Canadian news publishers, who have been struggling to compete with digital platforms like Google and Facebook. The payments from Google will provide a much-needed boost to the Canadian news industry, helping to ensure that Canadians have access to high-quality, homegrown journalism.
A Framework for Single Negotiation
The deal also includes a framework for a single negotiation between Google and Canadian news publishers. This will help to streamline the process of negotiating compensation agreements and avoid the need for costly arbitration.
Google’s Concerns Addressed
The deal also addresses some of the concerns that Google had raised about C-18. For example, Google will not be required to use a mandatory negotiation model. Instead, Google will be able to negotiate with a single group that represents all Canadian news publishers.
A Victory for Canadian Media
The government source argues that the deal is a victory for Canadian media and a net gain for Canadian news publishers. The framework for a single negotiation is likely to serve as an example for other countries.
Impact on CBC and Other News Organizations
As a news organization, the CBC would potentially see a financial benefit under C-18. However, the CBC has not yet said how much money it expects to receive from Google.
Next Steps
The deal will be added to the C-18 legislative framework, which must be unveiled by mid-December. Google and Canadian news publishers will then have to negotiate a compensation agreement.
Conclusion
The deal between the Government of Canada and Google is a significant step forward. It will help to ensure that Canadian news publishers are fairly compensated for their work and that Canadians have access to high-quality, homegrown journalism.
Here are some additional details from the deal:
The payments from Google will be based on a number of factors, including the amount of news that is shown on Google’s platforms and the size of the news publisher.
The payments will be made over a period of five years.
Google will also be required to make contributions to a new fund that will support the development of Canadian journalism.
The deal is expected to be met with mixed reactions from Canadian media. Some publishers will be pleased with the deal, while others will argue that it does not go far enough. However, there is no doubt that the deal is a significant victory for Canadian news publishers and a net gain for Canadian media.