A bill that would require digital technology websites to give internet companies for information may be introduced by New Zealand’s conservative coalition government on Tuesday, it said.
The bill is being introduced as New Zealand internet firms battle tech companies for marketing cash, leading them to discover new ways to deliver news programming.
Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith stated that the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which the previous Labour government introduced last year, will be presented in Parliament with modifications to help “our local media organizations to generate income for the information they produce.”
According to Goldsmith, the proposed modifications would more closely resemble Australia’s online negotiations rules.
If the parties fail to reach an arrangement on payments, the government is empowered to negotiate willing provide agreements with media outlets, such as Facebook user Meta Platforms and Google, which became effective in Australia in March 2021.
Meta and Google did not respond to inquiries for comments on the proposed legislation in New Zealand right away.
Meta prohibited the posting of media content on Twitter after Canada passed a similar legislation in 2023. The state is also weighing whether to act, and Meta has even stated it intends to cease paying American media companies for news.
According to Goldsmith, the proposed changes would grant the communications minister the authority to choose which online systems may be deemed to be legal. An independent controller may be appointed as the president’s power, he said.
One of the governing government’s partners, the proper- aircraft ACT New Zealand celebration, will never support the bill, Goldsmith said, which means it must have the support of another parties to go.
The opposition’s Labour party said it would review the changes but back the bill’s intended use.
