National hits out at the government’s big tech 'tax'

Melissa Lee believes the incoming law could jeopardise deals between Google, Meta and local publishers. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 28 Jul 2023

The National party’s broadcasting and media spokesperson Melissa Lee has criticised government plans to force digital platforms to pay for news content, labelling it a “tax” on big tech. Broadcasting minister Willie Jackson is preparing to introduce legislation – set to be named the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill – that will compel tech companies such as Google and Meta to sign commercial agreements with news publishers and pay them for news content that appears across their platforms. The bill is set...

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