Google will compensate media in Canada with $74 million

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Google will pay media outlets in Canada 100 million Canadian dollars per year (US$74 million) in compensation for sharing information on its platforms, the Canadian government announced on Wednesday.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said this figure will be adjusted each year based on inflation and that the Canadian Executive reserves the right to review the terms if Google reaches a more advantageous agreement for media from other countries.

The deal follows Canada’s approval of the Online News Act which requires Google and Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) to pay media outlets for sharing their content on digital platforms.

Since the law was passed in August, Google and Meta have protested it by blocking access to the information in Canada.

Although the law was approved months ago, the Canadian government has not put it into effect pending an agreement with Google and Meta.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that the agreement between Google and his government demonstrates, “after months of resistance”, Canada’s commitment to “local journalism, with independent journalists paid for their work “.

Trudeau also criticized Meta, which refused to compensate media outlets for broadcasting its content, saying the American giant “completely abdicates any responsibility towards democratic institutions and even stability.”

The agreement concluded with Google provides that the company will determine how it will negotiate with the media the distribution of the 100 million Canadian dollars.

Google is also committed to continuing to offer programs to Canadian news companies to train their employees and use digital tools and resources.

Learn more: Google paid in 2021 to be the main internet search engine

News/Information from the EFE