Junkee Media set to join publishers on Google News Showcase

Mariam Cheik-Hussein
By Mariam Cheik-Hussein | 17 February 2021
Neil Ackland

Junkee Media has signed a letter of intent to curate news content for Google’s newly-launched News Showcase platform.

The deal comes ahead of the news media bargaining code becoming law, which will force Facebook and Google to pay news media companies for their content. The government has recently announced it will make a number of changes to the code to make it more "workable". This includes clarifiying that Facebook and Google would be able to make lump sum payments for news.

Junkee says its deal with Google will “significantly boost” Junkee’s investment in public interest journalism.

“We’re extremely pleased with the outcome of this deal,” says Junkee Media CEO Neil Ackland.

“We’ve said throughout the News Bargaining Code debate that we’ve always valued our relationship with Google, and we’re very happy that it will continue. This is a significant investment that will allow us to set up a content infrastructure that will ensure Junkee’s sustainability well into the future.”

The deal comes after Seven West Media confirmed it had reached a deal with Google for its News Showcase.

“We’re pleased to welcome Junkee Media to Google News Showcase, an innovative digital media company covering the news that interests and impacts the lives of young Australians,” says Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Mel Silva.

“This will build on our Australian partnerships which include Seven News, The Newcastle Herald, The Saturday Paper, Crikey and The New Daily.

“There are now almost 50 Australian media titles signed onto Showcase, with a total of 500 worldwide. We’re excited about the early performance of Showcase with Australian partners receiving a million views on their content in just over a week, and we look forward to building on that in the months ahead.”

 

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