The Commons yesterday by a 213 to 114 vote passed a bill mandating that social media platforms share a portion of news-related ad revenues with online publishers. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez called it one part of his plan to “build a safer” internet..“The Online News Act is one piece of a large and complex puzzle that aims to build a safer, more inclusive and more competitive internet for all Canadians,” Rodriguez told the Commons in Third Reading debate. “I have spoken with my G7 colleagues about all of this and I can say one thing: The whole world is watching Canada right now.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Bill C-18 the Online News Act would compel Google and Facebook to pay newsrooms a portion of ad revenues generated by linked stories. The bill would also grant publishers an exemption from federal anti-trust law in negotiating secret revenue settlements with social media companies..The Department of Canadian Heritage has acknowledged the largest beneficiary of the bill is the CBC that uses a portion of $1.3 billion annual subsidies to operate a free news website. The CBC website averages more than 21 million unique visits monthly..CBC's website traffic compares to 15 million for Postmedia Network Inc., the largest newspaper chain; 687,000 for the Toronto Star, the largest daily; 434,000 for SaltWire Network Inc., publisher of most Atlantic dailies; and 140,000 for Black Press, publisher of community papers across British Columbia and Alberta. Figures are drawn from a Harvard University index of Canadian media..Attorney General David Lametti in a Charter Statement on Bill C-18 said the measure was intended to promote internet content cabinet considered truthful. “Freedom of expression protects speakers as well as listeners,” wrote Lametti. He did not explain..“The measure seeks to support the continued production and widespread availability of news content,” wrote Lametti. “This advances the fundamental values underpinning expressive freedoms in Canada which include promoting the search for truth.”.Conservative MPs opposed C-18. “This bill would impose a board which is appointed by the government to arbitrate things,” said MP Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West). “How is it possible for that board which is representing the government to properly adjudicate different points of view?”.“People have different points of view,” said Redekopp. “Is this not going to promote one point of view? Is it not going to begin to discriminate against certain organizations and potentially force the government’s view on people and on the news media?”.The bill now proceeds to the Senate. Parliament is scheduled to return from its Christmas recess on Monday, January 30.
The Commons yesterday by a 213 to 114 vote passed a bill mandating that social media platforms share a portion of news-related ad revenues with online publishers. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez called it one part of his plan to “build a safer” internet..“The Online News Act is one piece of a large and complex puzzle that aims to build a safer, more inclusive and more competitive internet for all Canadians,” Rodriguez told the Commons in Third Reading debate. “I have spoken with my G7 colleagues about all of this and I can say one thing: The whole world is watching Canada right now.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Bill C-18 the Online News Act would compel Google and Facebook to pay newsrooms a portion of ad revenues generated by linked stories. The bill would also grant publishers an exemption from federal anti-trust law in negotiating secret revenue settlements with social media companies..The Department of Canadian Heritage has acknowledged the largest beneficiary of the bill is the CBC that uses a portion of $1.3 billion annual subsidies to operate a free news website. The CBC website averages more than 21 million unique visits monthly..CBC's website traffic compares to 15 million for Postmedia Network Inc., the largest newspaper chain; 687,000 for the Toronto Star, the largest daily; 434,000 for SaltWire Network Inc., publisher of most Atlantic dailies; and 140,000 for Black Press, publisher of community papers across British Columbia and Alberta. Figures are drawn from a Harvard University index of Canadian media..Attorney General David Lametti in a Charter Statement on Bill C-18 said the measure was intended to promote internet content cabinet considered truthful. “Freedom of expression protects speakers as well as listeners,” wrote Lametti. He did not explain..“The measure seeks to support the continued production and widespread availability of news content,” wrote Lametti. “This advances the fundamental values underpinning expressive freedoms in Canada which include promoting the search for truth.”.Conservative MPs opposed C-18. “This bill would impose a board which is appointed by the government to arbitrate things,” said MP Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West). “How is it possible for that board which is representing the government to properly adjudicate different points of view?”.“People have different points of view,” said Redekopp. “Is this not going to promote one point of view? Is it not going to begin to discriminate against certain organizations and potentially force the government’s view on people and on the news media?”.The bill now proceeds to the Senate. Parliament is scheduled to return from its Christmas recess on Monday, January 30.