Canada’s media industry could be in line for a big and desperately needed payday as the government considers legislation that will force Facebook and Google to pay media companies for the use of their content.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to introduce the legislation within the first 100 days of his new mandate, which would be the beginning of February 2022.
The legislation is expected to follow a similar mandate passed in Australia that stipulated tech companies like Facebook and Google pay local media outlets for the use of their content.
The Liberal Party's campaign platform says the bill will “level the playing field between global platforms and Canadian news outlets [and] … will also allow news publishers to work together to prepare for collective negotiation".
The Press Gazette reported that the Canadian news industry is expecting annual payments of between $100 and $150 million from Big Tech.
News Media Canada, a lobbying group representing about 650 daily and weekly publications across the country and more than 3,000 journalists, has been pushing the Trudeau government to pass the legislation for months.
Paul Deegan, president and chief executive of News Media Canada, is hoping the tech companies will cover up to 30 per cent of newsrooms' annual operating costs.
That could be a necessary boost for many local papers that have had to weather declining advertising sales and the pandemic.
“The internet has really disrupted the news business and some of our members have adapted to this reality better than others. But I think even those who have really see that sort of long term, this is needed,” Mr Deegan told The National.
The Canadian Media Concentration Research Project reported that Facebook and Google take up 80 per cent of the online advertising market, making it difficult for local media to compete.
“I think in terms of long-term sustainable funding, what we're really looking for is just to be compensated fairly for copyrighted material that our journalists produce,” said Mr Deegan.
For The Sherbooke Record, a small daily newspaper in Quebec’s Eastern Townships that has been publishing since 1897, the legislation could help keep its printing presses going.
“That one-two punch of our two revenue streams — subscribers and advertising — really took a big hit from the digital giants,” said Sharon McCully, publisher of the Record.
“We can't compete in that market. So, what we're doing is operating two platforms, a print platform and a digital platform, just trying to stay afloat with both of them.”
Ms McCully, who has been with the paper since 1988, is optimistic that papers like hers — represented by News Media Canada — will receive much needed funds from Big Tech.
“I am quite confident that they're going to hold out on behalf of the smaller newspapers,” she said.
When Australia passed its own regulations, social media behemoths struck lucrative deals with Australian media companies, but experts differ on whether such a model will work in Canada.
Daniel Tsai, a lecturer in law and technology at the University of Toronto, said the Australian model would “compensate publishers for the structural deficit they have in terms of their ability to monetise their content".
Mr Tsai added that it was important for companies to continue to innovate and search for new ways to reach audiences and make money.
“The reality is these businesses also need to get more competitive,” Mr Tsai told The National. “I mean, publishers just have to change their business models.”
However, Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa specialising in internet and e-commerce issues, does not think the “Australian-style” legislation is necessary.
“I think we also know that there are real costs associated with government intervention in the space,” Mr Geist told The National.
He said the model could have a real impact on the independence of Canadian media, both large and small.
“Once you become dependent on government in this way, I think the reality is there is a reluctance to hold the government to account in the same way,” he said.
Google has already forged relationships with several prominent Canadian outlets including The Globe and Mail.
A Google spokeswoman said the company was active in conversations with the federal government and has “committed to training 5,000 Canadian journalists over the next three years on digital skills".
Facebook said through a representative the company could not comment on legislation that has yet to be tabled but added that the company has invested about $10m in partnerships and programmes to bolster Canadian media over the past four years.
In addition, she said the company is investing $8m “to support the long-term sustainability of journalism in Canada".
News Media Canada is calling on the Liberal government to pass the legislation by June — a tall order, considering it is a minority government.
But as the pandemic continues and the importance of social media increases, those in the media say a decision needs to made soon.
“We need this legislation urgently,” said Mr Deegan.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
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MATCH DETAILS
Manchester United 3
Greenwood (21), Martial (33), Rashford (49)
Partizan Belgrade 0
How Sputnik V works
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)
Saturday
Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)
Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)
Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)
Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)
Sunday
Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)
UAE squad
Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
more from Janine di Giovanni
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
More on Quran memorisation:
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
MO
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