NP says Postmedia, others demand action on "predators"
2021-06-09 08:59 ET - In the News
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The National Post's front page Wednesday is devoted to an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the lack of action on what it calls "predatory monopoly practices" of Google and Facebook against Canadian news media.
Signed by Jamie Irving, chairman of lobby group News Media Canada, says that so far, all the industry has gotten is talk.
"With every passing week, that talk grows hollower and hollower." It says that two Web giants are using their control of the Internet and their highly sophisticated algorithms to divert 80 per cent of all on-line advertising revenue in Canada.
Further, they are distributing the work of journalists across the country without compensation.
Google and Facebook are using their monopoly powers in the same way throughout the world -- choking off journalism from the financial resources it needs to survive.
The difference, the letter adds, is that other countries are putting their foot down.
Australia has enacted comprehensive new legislation requiring the two Web giants to negotiate collectively with that country's media.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has repeatedly committed to tabling legislation this spring -- but after months of promises, there is still no legislation.