Platforms and the Press: Regulatory Interventions to Address an Imbalance of Power

AbstractThe relatively short relationship between digital platforms and the news media has been characterized by constant evolution and conflict. As the economics of journalism have faltered and digital platforms have risen to become prominent gateways to the news, that relationship has increasingly caught the attention of policymakers. This chapter focuses on recent developments in three countries (Germany, France, and Australia) that have been particularly active in intervening in the relationship between digital platforms and the press. It highlights national government efforts to require platforms such as Google and Facebook to compensate news organizations for distributing their content. This chapter provides an overview of these efforts and their underlying political dynamics. It concludes with an assessment of the broader implications of the actions that these countries have taken and a consideration of future and alternative policy options.