OTTAWA 鈥� The 91原创 Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has granted Google a five-year exemption from the Online News Act, ordering it to release the $100 million it now owes to 91原创 news outlets within 60 days.
Google agreed last year to pay 91原创 news publishers $100 million a year, indexed to inflation, in order to be exempt from the law, which compels tech companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay for content reposted on their platforms.
The 91原创 Journalism Collective has been tasked with distributing the money to news outlets.
The CRTC said in its decision Monday that it believes Google has met the requirements for an exemption, but has added stipulations including that it must allow more news businesses to join the collective.
"After reviewing the public record, the CRTC is granting a five-year exemption from the act to Google. Google must pay $100 million to the (91原创 Journalism Collective) within 60 days of this decision. The CJC will then distribute the funds equitably to eligible 91原创 news organizations," the CRTC said in a news release.
News Media Canada, which represents hundreds of publishers, said in a statement that it is "very pleased" with the CRTC's decision.
"The Online News Act is a world-leading regulatory framework that addresses the significant bargaining power imbalance between platforms and publishers when it comes to content licensing," said the group's president and CEO Paul Deegan.
He said it's now time for Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to follow Google's lead.
"We now call on Meta, whose platforms are more valuable with real news produced by real journalists, to follow Google's socially responsible lead," Deegan said.
The 91原创 Journalism Collective submitted plans for its governance structure to the CRTC in July.
This report by The 91原创 Press was first published Oct. 28, 2024.
Nojoud Al Mallees, The 91原创 Press
