Google Temporarily Blocks Links to Local News Outlets in California
Google has taken the drastic step of temporarily blocking links from local news outlets in California from appearing in search results. The move comes in response to the advancement of a bill that would require tech companies to pay publications for links that articles share. Although the change only applies to some Google users in California, the exact number of affected individuals remains unclear.
The proposed legislation, known as the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), would necessitate large online platforms to pay a “journalism usage fee” for linking to news sites based in the Golden State. The bill, which received clearance from the California assembly in 2023, would need to pass in the Senate and be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to become law.
In a blog post published on Friday, Jaffer Zaidi, Google’s head of global news partnerships, explained that the company is experimenting with blocking local news links for a small percentage of California users in preparation for the potential passing of the bill. Zaidi emphasized that Google does not make such decisions lightly and is urging lawmakers to consider alternative approaches to avoid detrimental outcomes for all parties involved.
Furthermore, Google also announced the suspension of further investments in the California news ecosystem, including removing California publications from its Google News Showcase. The showcase is a feature designed to enhance traffic to publishers by pushing stories to users in a streamlined feed.
This clash between tech giants and news publishers over payment for content is not exclusive to California. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, have faced similar challenges in Australia and Canada. Meta previously threatened to remove news content from Facebook and Instagram in Canada, while Google scaled back its news services in Australia following a bill was passed requiring social media firms to pay publishers for shared content.
The CJPA aims to support the struggling local journalism industry, which has been negatively impacted by the rise of social media and online news accessibility. However, critics argue that the legislation may disproportionately benefit larger publishers at the expense of smaller outlets that are facing more severe consequences.
A study conducted by Free Press Action, a media reform advocacy group, revealed that over 80% of websites eligible for reimbursement under the bill are owned by just 20 major firms. Consequently, major media companies have vehemently lobbied once morest the legislation.
This ongoing battle between Google and news publishers highlights the challenges faced by local news today. The control over news creation and access lies in the hands of large corporations, potentially hindering the dissemination of accurate and independent information.
Looking ahead, this clash of interests may lead to significant shifts in the news industry. Tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, will likely face increased scrutiny regarding their impact on news publishers and the potential exploitation of their platforms. Regulatory bodies may need to intervene to create
