Australian treasurer says talks with Facebook on new media law were ‘protracted and difficult’
The negotiations resulted in the Australian government introducing last-minute changes to the proposed law — officially known as the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code — before it was passed.
“Facebook is now entering into good faith negotiations with the Australian news media businesses,” said Frydenberg. He cited the letter of intent signed by Seven West Media, which owns broadcast network Seven, to provide news content to Facebook.
“Things are moving in the right direction, although this has been a pretty protracted and difficult set of negotiations,” said the Treasurer.
Facebook’s response to the media code was often compared toGoogle’s reaction.
Google also pushed back strongly and threatened to pull its search function from the country — but the company eventuallycaved in and cut deals with several media outlets, including Seven West Media and the Murdoch family owned News Corp.
