• by Ray Schultz , December 21, 2023

The bulk of compensation going to Canadian publishers as a result of a recent deal with Google will go to written news, including newspapers, according to News Media Canada.

Google will pay Canadian publishers $100 per year for use of its news content on the Google search platform. That was negotiated down from the $172 million demanded by the Canadian government. 

Of that $100 million, $63 million will be provided to news publishers while broadcast news outlets will be limited to $30 million. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada will be capped at $7 million.  

“Two years ago, in an attempt to thwart the need for legislation, large online platforms were picking winners and losers among Canada’s news publishers,” said Dave Adsett, chair of News Media Canada and publisher of the Wellington Advertiser. 

Adsett adds, “Today, we have a solid regulatory framework with teeth that ensures Google compensates news publishers — large and small — for the exceptional reporting our journalists do, without fear or favour, on behalf of their fellow Canadians.”

“With the Online News Act and recent changes to the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit, Canadians have shown the world how smart policy can support journalism,” says Paul Deegan, president and chief executive officer of News Media Canada.

Deegan adds, “We thank Google for their constructive approach, and we look forward to a positive, mutually beneficial commercial relationship with them for many years to come, and we call on Meta to follow Google’s socially responsible lead.”

Meta is persisting in its battle against Canada, blocking all news content in the country.