New Oregon Law Could Pressure Google and Facebook to Compensate Local News Outlets
Oregon is poised to introduce legislation that could force tech giants like Google and Facebook to compensate local media outlets for news content shared on their platforms. Senate Bill 686, spearheaded by Senator Khanh Pham (D-Portland), recently passed through the Oregon Senate Committee on Rules and is set for a vote in the full Senate.
This legislation aims to address the advertising revenue losses that local newsrooms have faced due to the dominance of online advertisers. Proponents argue that financial support is crucial for the survival of independent news organizations, many of which are struggling with cutbacks and reduced staffing. The bill would create a fund whereby a portion of the revenues generated by tech companies would be allocated to support local journalism.
However, critics warn that the law could have adverse consequences. In Canada, a similar law led to Meta (Facebook’s parent company) banning news content, resulting in severe declines in web traffic to Canadian news sites. Experts caution that Oregon could see similar backlash, as tech firms may prefer to withdraw news links entirely rather than compensate newsrooms.
Meta has expressed strong opposition to the bill, stating that it would lead them to consider blocking news content in Oregon. The company insists that publishers voluntarily share their articles to broaden their audience and that they have shifted away from promoting news links.
Supporters, including the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, are urging public engagement, arguing that this bill represents a critical measure to restore local journalism and bolster democracy in Oregon. Despite potential legal challenges concerning First Amendment rights, many lawmakers believe that addressing the imbalance between local media and tech platforms is vital for the community’s informational health.
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