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

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.

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.