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

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)
Daniel Dunkley
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...

More Media

NZME confirms job cuts
Markets

NZME confirms job cuts

About 30 roles are being cut from the NZ Herald newsroom, and several well-known journalistic names – including the political editor – have opted for voluntary redundancy.While the company has reduced the overall number of net redundancies from about 38 to 30, it still expects to...

Staff reporters 19 Feb 2025
Jonathan Underhill – a personal obituary
Media Free

Jonathan Underhill – a personal obituary

Remembering BusinessDesk's co-founder.

Pattrick Smellie 24 Jan 2025
What happens to TikTok now?
Media

What happens to TikTok now?

The company says it plans to go dark after the Supreme Court upheld a sell-or-ban law.

NZ firms warned on Meta's policy changes
Editor's Picks

NZ firms warned on Meta's policy changes

Two social media researchers weigh in on what NZ companies need to know.

Ben Moore 16 Jan 2025