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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
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Margaret Simons

If Meta’s intransigence isn’t enough, AI poses an even greater threat to journalism

Meta logo
Meta has decided to stop paying Australian publishers for news but AI in Google and Bing search engines could be truly catastrophic for media’s sustainability. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

It’s hardly a surprise that Meta, owner of Facebook, is refusing to renew its deals with Australia’s media companies. It was always grudging in its negotiations and never really accepted the principle that it should pay for the benefit of using the work of journalists.

Facebook and Google were forced to the bargaining table by the news media bargaining code. That law allowed the government to “designate” digital platforms, which would force them to negotiate with media companies.

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