By Andrew Schreyer, President, Country Press Australia

Country Press Australia has welcomed federal government plans to establish the News Bargaining Incentive to ensure large digital platforms contribute to the sustainability of news media in Australia.

The News Bargaining Incentive is designed to encourage digital platforms to enter into or renew commercial deals with news publishers and follows an announcement by Meta in March that it would not renew agreements with publishers, including Country Press Australia member mastheads (including the Advertiser).

Under the incentive, search and social media companies that failed to reach agreements with publishers would be forced to pay a charge instead, with 100 per cent of those funds collected then distributed to eligible publishers. The value of any agreements reached would be offset against the tax payable by the companies.

Country Press Australia president Andrew Schreyer said the News Bargaining Incentive would help deliver important financial support and recognition to our member publishers for the valuable work they do across the regional, rural and outer-suburban landscape.

"In the overwhelming majority of communities in regional, rural and outer-suburban Australia where our members operate, they are the only provider of hyper-local place based public interest journalism to those communities. 

"And as such, the local paper's role as an important piece of democratic infrastructure cannot be overstated."

He said the announcement of the News Bargaining Incentive was good news for publishers who otherwise faced ongoing challenges in the wake of Meta's previous decision to not renew agreements.

"Local papers command an overwhelming share of voice across the broader regional, rural and outer-suburban landscape and it's pleasing to see the increased recognition from government of the role our papers play in the communities they serve."

The government says the incentive will apply to large digital platforms operating significant social media or search services irrespective of whether or not they carry news.

Mr Schreyer thanked the government, especially ministers Rowland and Jones, for this latest intervention and show of support for regional, rural and local publishers and said Country Press Australia looked forward to playing a role in the important consultation process that is to come.

The government will consult stakeholders on the final design of the scheme. A public consultation paper is expected to be released in early 2025, and the incentive will take effect from January 1, 2025.