July 02, 2024
Goldsmith flips on Fair Digital News Bill
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says the Government will proceed with an amended version of a bill aimed at getting social media companies to pay for content from New Zealand news organisations.
Former minister Melissa Lee had opposed the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which was introduced by Labour.
Mr Goldsmith says he will redesign the bill so it aligns more closely with the Australian digital bargaining code.
He will also give the minister the power to decide which digital platforms are covered by the Act.
ACT Party leader David Seymour invoked the agree to disagree provision in its coalition agreement, saying the bill was a sop which fails to solve the fundamental challenge facing traditional media – that people don’t want the product on offer.
That means the Government will need the support of other parties for the bill to pass.
Labour’s former communications minister, Willie Jackson, says Labour supports the intent of the bill and will look closely at the amendments.
He says the Government has seen sense by progressing with legislation to make the media landscape fairer for news companies operating online.