Free TV has welcomed the Government’s consultation on the News Bargaining Incentive–a mechanism designed to ensure global technology companies pay for Australian journalism that delivers significant value to their platforms.
Australian commercial broadcasters invested $408 million in trusted news during FY24, including $35.2 million in regional Australia. Yet global tech giants continue to profit from this content, often without paying for it.
The consultation comes nearly two years after Meta stopped paying for Australian news content on Facebook in March 2024.
Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said: “Global tech platforms enjoy enormous market power and reap massive benefits from Australian news content–it’s time they paid their fair share.
“Local journalism is essential to our democracy. When platforms walk away from paying for news, Australian communities lose.
“This consultation is our opportunity to get the settings right and ensure this scheme delivers real support for the trusted news services Australians rely on every day.”
The proposed News Bargaining Incentive would establish a levy on digital platforms that can be offset by making fair commercial deals with news publishers. The mechanism builds on principles established by the News Media Bargaining Code.
Free TV will make a detailed submission to the consultation, which closes on 19 December 2025.
Download a copy of the PDF here