It’s time Australia called in the big guns on the social media firms. Our democracy is at risk

‘A digital platform levy is an excellent idea. The code has brought over $250m to the media industry at a time they sorely needed it’ Photograph: Andre M Chang/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

The joint select committee on social media and Australian society tabled their interim report on Monday, recommending that the government explore alternative revenue mechanisms to supplement the news media bargaining code, such as a digital platform levy.

The levy would operate like a tax on social media platforms, the proceeds being used to support public interest journalism, foster digital media literacy initiatives and sustain our media outlets. These ideas are being considered largely because Meta has refused to renegotiate the deals it entered into under the code three years ago, and because it has deprioritised news across its platforms.