Australia proposes new laws to force Meta, TikTok, Google to pay news publishers
Consensus Summary
The Australian government has released a draft of the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) legislation, which aims to force digital platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Google to compensate news publishers for using their content. The proposed 2.25% levy on Australian revenue can be offset by commercial deals, with higher offsets for smaller media organisations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan in Canberra, emphasising the importance of journalism for a healthy democracy and the need to value Australian news content. The legislation will be introduced in parliament during the winter sitting period, with the government seeking broad support. The NBI replaces the previous News Media Bargaining Code, which Meta and other platforms have reportedly bypassed, including Meta ending deals worth about $70 million. The new model prioritises Australian journalists and multicultural publishers, building on past agreements like the $250 million deals previously struck under the NMBC.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The draft legislation is called the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) and aims to replace the News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC)
- The proposed levy requires digital platforms to pay 2.25% of Australian revenue to news publishers, offset by 150% for deals with traditional media and 170% for deals with smaller media organisations
- The legislation will be introduced to parliament during the winter sitting period (July or August 2026)
- Meta previously ended deals worth about $70 million to compensate for news content on Facebook and Instagram
- The government engaged in extensive consultation with Meta, TikTok, and Google before releasing the draft legislation
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that investment in journalism is critical to a healthy democracy and that Australian news should be valued monetarily
- The NBI model prioritises media outlets employing Australian journalists, with potential prioritisation for multicultural publishers
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Anthony Albanese announced the draft legislation in Canberra on 2026-04-28 at 02:25:12.375192
- The Prime Minister said the legislation would encourage 'deal making between the platforms and news organisations'
- The government expects broad support across the House of Representatives and the Senate for the legislation
- The Guardian mentions that the NBI model could prompt a backlash from US President Donald Trump, who has pledged to defend American platforms from additional taxes
- Meta accused a federal parliamentary committee of ignoring 'the realities of how our platforms work' and the value Facebook and Instagram bring to news outlets
- Google and Facebook previously agreed deals worth about $250 million over three years under the NMBC
- The discussion paper was released by Communications Minister Anika Wells and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states that the NBI model replaces the Morrison government’s News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC), which Labor says is no longer effective, while NEWSCOMAU does not explicitly state this replacement context
Source Articles
New Aus laws eye up Meta, TikTok
New details have emerged about new laws to force companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok to strike deals with Australian news organisations.
Google, Meta and TikTok face new levy to pay for Australian news as Albanese reveals media plan
Government’s draft news bargaining incentive scheme includes 2.25% levy on local revenues of digital giants Anthony Albanese has urged Google, Meta and TikTok to make deals with Australian media outlets to avoid a dedicated 2.25% levy on local revenues, warning digital giants should not be able to exploit the work of journalists to boost profits. Releasing an exposure draft for the government’s news bargaining incentive (NBI) scheme on Tuesday, the prime minister said platforms who sign new deal