Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has told media executives at the Shaping a Nation showcase at Parliament House that his government will be backing free-to-air television.
“We will not give in to some of the platforms when the pressure comes on, which it will, over everything from the media bargaining code to other things including positioning on media when people turn on their TV,” Albanese told the event organised by industry body Free TV.
The industry has been waiting for the release of a News Bargaining Incentive discission paper on plans to force Google, Meta and other platforms to enter into or renew commercial deals with news publishers.
Executives are concerned that, despite the announcement of the News Bargaining Incentive in December, the government is dragging its feet on enforcing measures to make big tech companies pay for news content.
“The world is changing and you've helped shape that change,” Albanese said.
“One of the things that you do now is to make accessibility 24/7, so we might watch things on demand rather than when they're necessarily scheduled and we all use the new technology that's available to record information and to even go back post-election night.
“But at a time when social cohesion is really important – we have a lot of discussion as a government and as a society on what is it that is leading to increased polarisation.
“And part of that dynamic is the fact that a whole lot of people get their information including their news from their devices and algorithms.
"They go down rabbit holes and they reinforce the exist distinct views that they have, pushing them out to the margins but far left far right, reinforcing the view so that everyone thinks this particular way.”
Albanese described free-to-air TV as a "essential part of democracy".
“Anyone can turn on their TV. They don't have to pay for it. They don't have to agree with a particular line or argument in order to subscribe. It's available to everyone,” he said.
“And therefore, you are a last bastion of what is an essential part of our democracy and an essential part of a cohesive society.
“What is certain is that we need more things which are common experiences. Common experiences because that's how you build a united, cohesive, strong society.
“(I am) looking forward to continuing to work with you on issues like the media bargaining code. What you do matters.”
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