• by Ray Schultz , August 15, 2024

The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA, AB 886), which would require big tech platforms to pay news publishers for using their content, has passed the state Senate Appropriations Committee. 

The bill -- introduced by Assembly member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) in March 2023 -- had passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2024 despite the threat of retaliatory news-blocking by Google.  Presumably, the bill is headed for a floor vote.

The passage was applauded by the News/Media Alliance.  

“We are grateful to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Chair Caballero, and Assembly member Buffy Wicks for their continuing support of this legislation to preserve quality journalism in California and the broader United States,” says Danielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance.  

Coffey adds: “News publishers must receive compensation from the Big Tech platforms for the use of their content to be able to continue their critically important work. We need quality news and information now more than ever to stay informed and help counter the tsunami of misinformation online.”