Google agrees to resume news media agreements, but with a rider
Media reports say Google has been adding a provision in the partnerships that enables it to revoke the deal at the end of each year
Google has been renewing media partnerships with some smaller publications but with a provision enabling it to revoke the deal at the end of each year, media networks have reported.
As opposed to Meta, which withdrew its offer to pay Australian news organizations $70 million annually by refusing to negotiate new terms, Google has made a public pledge to renew its commercial agreements in accordance with the code. It is projected to pay over $130 million annually.
This will include regional newspaper arm Times News Group, Solstice Media, Crikey, The Conversation, Women’s Agenda, and Independent Media.
Some reports say Seven and Nine initially struck five-year deals with Google. These are supposed to expire in May 2026. The smaller publishers originally signed three-year agreements.
Lucinda Longcroft, Google’s Director of Government Affairs has told AFR, “Over the past three years, we’ve furthered our significant contribution to the Australian news industry by signing commercial agreements with more than 80 Australian news businesses, representing more than 200 outlets across the country.”
This is at the time that News Corp, Nine, and Seven have all announced newsroom layoffs, which they attribute to Meta ceasing to pay them under the News Media Bargaining Code for using their news material.
