Country Press Australia (CPA) members will be able to collectively negotiate with Google and Facebook over payments for their news content.
The authorisation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) comes after CPA, which represents 81 news publishers in regional communities, was given interim authorisation to collectively bargain in April.
“Since the ACCC granted Country Press interim authorisation to collectively bargain with digital platforms, it has already reached an in-principle 3-year deal with Facebook,” says ACCC Chair Rod Sims.
“By enabling 160 regional newspapers to present a united front, a deal has been reached which stands to benefit regional news media businesses.
“This shows that passage of the bargaining code has incentivised deals with a wide range of news businesses, both small and the larger players,” Mr Sims said.”
The authorisation is for a period of 10 years and allows CPA and its members to discuss and exchange information with each other about negotiations with the tech platforms.
“This is likely to result in benefits such as reduced transaction costs, allow CPA members, who are often small businesses, to have improved input into negotiations, and help contribute to the sustainability of Australian regional news businesses,” Sims says.
Participation is voluntary and does not involve any collective boycott conduct.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.