Google warns the Canadian federal government that the proposed law on online communications platforms could force the company to subsidize biased news sites such as Russia’s official news agency Sputnik.
However, News Media Canada, the association that represents hundreds of print and digital titles, points out that the wording of the law is specific and does not specifically include sites that promote a particular organization.
According to Google, the definition of an eligible news source is so vague that a company with two or more journalists can qualify for funds from telecom giants even if it is funded by a foreigner. state.
Fight the spread of fake news
This bill, inspired by Australian law, aims to support the information sector in Canada and combat the spread of false news from unreliable or private sources.
Bill C-18 would force giants like Google or Meta to pay to use news produced by Canadian media organizations. He will also ban them act in a manner that unfairly discriminates against the company or gives any individual or entity – including itself – an undue or unreasonable preference.
Google says it will affect its news classification system in its search engine as well as the way its content is moderated.
Google fears heavy fines
Google spokeswoman Lauren Skelly said the company could taking heavy fines for displaying the most useful and reliable content in Canada and for enforcing “your” own policies.
Ms Skelly said the telecom giants supported the principle of the bill but were concerned about its unintended consequences, including having to subsidize companies violating journalism standards.
It could be two people setting up a news site outside their basement, foreign news agencies with offices in Canada, or extremist sites.
We want to believe that this is not the goal of parliamentarians. We look forward to working with them to address these concerns.said Ms. Skelly.
News Media Canada president Paul Deegan said the bill was carefully developed.
” This is a very good bill that specifically excludes news media that promote the interests of an organization rather than producing original content of general interest. “
Deegan points out that the bill would allow small publishers to pool and negotiate content deals with large telecommunications companies. We urge all elected officials from all parties to work together to quickly pass this law before the summer holidays.
The Ministry of Heritage remembers that it is not the duty of the government to decide what the medium of news is.
He argues that this bill establishes an objective list of criteria, outside the political process, to define a mediaadded that a free and independent press is essential to a democracy.
Under the bill, a qualified business must be a qualified Canadian journalism organization within the meaning of the Income Tax Act or that produces news content primarily focused on matters of general interest and regularly uses non at least two journalists in Canada.
Source: Radio-Canada
