The Australian government unveiled a draft bill, titled the News Bargaining Incentive, that would require Facebook, Google, and TikTok to pay for the news content they host, according to government officials. The move is designed to eliminate the practice of digital platforms sidestepping their financial obligations by simply removing news from their services, a tactic that had undermined the previous regulatory framework.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the shortcomings of the 2021 Media Bargaining Code, saying it had failed to keep up with the strategies of technology companies. He pointed out that some platforms, notably Facebook, had simply blocked news content to avoid having to strike deals with publishers. The new model removes that option by making payment a more practical and cost‑effective choice. Under the revised approach, even if a platform decides not to carry news, it will still face charges, closing the loophole that allowed the previous code to be bypassed.
Government estimates suggest the scheme could raise up to $250 million annually for the Australian news sector. To encourage voluntary agreements, platforms that proactively negotiate deals with media outlets will receive offsets against any compulsory charges they might otherwise owe. These credits are meant to reduce their financial exposure and reward cooperation, creating a strong incentive for platforms to come to the table.
For those that refuse to negotiate or fail to strike deals, the legislation introduces a mandatory charge calculated as a proportion of their Australian revenue. The exact percentage has yet to be specified, but the funds collected will be reinvested directly into the local news industry. The charge would be imposed regardless of whether the platform hosts Australian news content, ensuring that the financial obligation cannot be dodged.
Communications Minister Anika Wells explained that the money distributed to news outlets would be allocated based on the number of journalists each organisation employs. This metric is intended to support outlets that invest heavily in original reporting, rather than those that simply aggregate content. The government is concurrently running a separate consultation on the detailed distribution mechanism, to ensure the funds flow effectively to those who need them most.
Public consultation on the draft legislation is open until 18 May 2026, giving industry participants and the broader community an extended period to provide input. This legislative push follows last year’s ban on under‑16s accessing social media, highlighting the government’s ongoing effort to tighten regulation of large technology platforms. The government has not yet announced a timeline for the bill’s passage through parliament.
Albanese argued that the reforms are essential to protect public‑interest journalism and safeguard Australian democracy from the disruptive influence of unregulated digital monopolies. Wells added that the laws are a necessary modernisation of the regulatory framework, designed to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and ensure a sustainable future for the nation’s news media.