CRTC approves Google's $100 million funding for Canadian news, Oct 2024
- The CRTC has approved Google's application for a five-year exemption from the Online News Act, allowing Google to contribute $100 million annually to Canadian news organizations.
- This funding, which will be managed by the Canadian Journalism Collective, aims to ensure fair compensation for publishers of Canadian news content.
- The decision marks a significant step in the implementation of the Online News Act, which seeks to regulate the relationship between online platforms and news organizations.
In Canada, on October 28, 2024, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved Google's application for a five-year exemption from the Online News Act. This legislation, which aims to ensure that online platforms compensate Canadian news organizations fairly, received Royal Assent in June 2023 and came into effect in December 2023. The decision comes as part of the CRTC's mandate to oversee and regulate communications in the public interest. Google's approval allows the company to contribute $100 million annually to the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), which will manage the distribution of funds to eligible Canadian news organizations. This initiative aims to address the financial challenges faced by news publishers in the digital age, ensuring they receive adequate compensation for their content. The exemption from the Act means that Google will not have to negotiate individually with each news organization but can instead work through the CJC, representing a wide range of publishers. This streamlined approach is intended to facilitate a more effective allocation of resources and support for journalism in Canada. Overall, this decision highlights the CRTC's commitment to rapidly advancing the implementation of the Online News Act and its efforts to create a sustainable environment for Canadian news media amidst the evolving landscape of digital content distribution.