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US: Cicilline, Collins introduce legislation to allow local media to compete with big tech

By  |  April 3, 2019

Local publishers of online news would gain an ability to band together to negotiate with dominant online platforms such as Facebook and Google under a legislative proposal introduced Wednesday, April 3, by US Representative David N. Cicilline.

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    The proposed “safe harbor” aims to improve the accessibility and quality of online news by giving small publishers a period of four years to collectively negotiate with online giants under a specific set of conditions, according a news release issued by Cicilline’s office. The legislation provides an opportunity for the publishers to collectively negotiate the terms under which their content is distributed.

    “The free press is a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Cicilline. “Journalists keep the public informed, root out corruption, and hold the powerful accountable. This bill will provide a much-needed lifeline to local publishers who have been crushed by Google and Facebook. It’s about time we take a stand on this issue.”

    To qualify for the safe harbor, states the news release, the negotiation must relate “directly” to the quality, accuracy, attribution, branding, or “interoperability” of news; provide a benefit for the entire industry rather than just a few publishers; and must be reasonably necessary for the intended purposes of the “safe harbor” rather than for other purposes.

    Full Content: Cicilline

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