Calls for humanitarian corridor through strait of Hormuz as Iran war hits vital aid
Aid groups demand humanitarian corridor through strait of Hormuz as war disrupts supplies
The Guardian World1 min read
Australia moves to tax Meta, Google and TikTok to fund newsrooms
TL;DR
Australia plans to tax Meta, Google, and TikTok based on their revenue to fund newsrooms. The draft legislation aims to encourage these companies to financially support journalism by striking deals with news organizations.
Key points
- Australia proposes taxing Meta, Google, and TikTok
- Tax based on a proportion of their revenue
- Funds intended for news reporters
- Draft legislation to be introduced by July 2
- Encourages deals between companies and news organizations
Mentioned in this story
MetaGoogleTikTokAustralia
The home pages of Meta, Google and TikTok are displayed on devices in Sydney, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Rick Rycroft/AP
Rick Rycroft/AP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia has proposed taxing digital giants Meta, Google and TikTok a proportion of their revenue to pay for news reporters.
The government released draft legislation Tuesday it intends to introduce to Parliament by July 2 that would create a financial incentive for the social media companies to strike deals with news organizations to pay for journalism.
The platforms' criticisms included that the proposal was a "digital services tax" that misunderstood the evolving advertising industry and would fail to deliver a sustainable news sector.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a monetary value needed to be attached to journalists' work.
"It shouldn't just be able to be taken by a large multinational corporation and used to generate profits for that organisation with no compensation appropriate for the people who produce that creative content," Albanese told reporters.
"We think that investment in journalism is critical to a healthy democracy," he added.
It's Australia's second legislative attempt to make the platforms pay for the Australian news text and images that their users view.
Digital platforms had been pressured to strike deals with Australian news publishers to pay for journalism by legislation passed in 2021 that created the country's News Media Bargaining Code.
The platforms chose to reach commercial deals with news creators rather than be forced into arbitration and have a judge set the price.
But they have since avoided renewing those deals by removing news from their services.
The proposed News Bargaining Incentive would charge major platforms that choose not to strike commercial deals with news publishers a 2.25% tax on their Australian revenue.
The platforms would be given offsets and their overall costs would be lowered if they agree to pay publishers for journalism, the government said.
The government expects the incentive would raise between 200 to 250 million Australian dollars ($144 million-$179 million) a year. That was about as much as the platforms paid news outlets when the News Media Bargaining Code was working at its peak.
Q&A
What is the proposed tax on Meta, Google, and TikTok in Australia?
Australia's proposed tax would require Meta, Google, and TikTok to pay a portion of their revenue to fund newsrooms.
When will the Australian government introduce the new tax legislation?
The Australian government intends to introduce the draft legislation to Parliament by July 2.
How will the tax benefit news organizations in Australia?
The tax aims to create financial incentives for digital giants to negotiate deals with news organizations, thereby supporting journalism.
What prompted Australia to tax digital giants for funding newsrooms?
The move is part of Australia's strategy to ensure that social media companies contribute to the funding of journalism in the country.
