2025-02-17
The Greens say Australia must stand up for quality journalism, responding to reports today that the Albanese Government will halt the implementation of a News Media Bargaining Incentive policy, over fears of a Trumpian backlash.
Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications & Senator for South Australia:
“Cowering to the bully won’t protect Australia’s interests or ensure public interest journalism is protected.
“The tech bro billionaires and President Trump are a threat to democracy and they will not respect a strategy of appeasement and delay.
“With President Trump acting dangerously outside his jurisdiction, creating chaos not just in the US, but across the rest of the world, Australia needs to stand up for quality public interest journalism now more than ever.
“Reports today that the Albanese Government is abandoning its News Media Bargaining Incentive policy are concerning. Australia should stand up to bullies, not allow them to dictate our public policy.
“The big tech corporations like Meta, X & Google should not be able to profit off the publication and sharing of news content without paying a fair price to the people who produce it.
“The backdown now begs the question, what about all policies that seek to hold the tech giants to account and make platforms safer? From social media age bans, duty of care obligations and scam laws, is the Albanese Government abandoning those too?
“Donald Trump is not our President - and his anti-truth, anti-journalism agenda should not dictate policy here in Australia.”