SYDNEY, 12 October 2020, (TON): Google on Sunday condemned Australia's draft for new News Media Bargaining Code, saying it is unworkable and the company has raised concerns about its unfair payment conditions and unclear definitions and obligations. About the the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Media code, the Australian Government has announced that the code would initially apply only to Facebook and Google. Other digital platforms may be added to the code if they hold a significant bargaining power imbalance with Australian news media businesses in the future.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released a draft code for public consultation on 31 July 2020 due to conclude on 28 August 2020, asking the ACCC to develop a mandatory code of conduct to address bargaining power imbalances between Australian news media businesses and digital platforms, specifically Google and Facebook. The draft code would allow news media businesses to bargain individually or collectively with Google and Facebook over payment for the inclusion of news on their services.

The draft code would allow news media businesses to bargain individually or collectively with Google and Facebook over payment for the inclusion of news on their services. The draft code has been developed by the ACCC in close consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. The ACCC would be responsible for administering and enforcing the code, and would have a role in providing submissions as part of compulsory arbitrations conducted under the code. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would be responsible for determining eligibility of news media businesses to participate in the code.