Meta, TikTok to Be Hit With New Mandatory ‘Charges’ for Public Interest Journalism

The Australian government has revealed a fresh set of rules aimed at forcing tech and social media giants to reimburse news outlets.

The Facebook and Instagram apps are seen on the screen of an iPhone on Oct. 4, 2021 in San Anselmo, California. Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Social media giants will soon be hit with new rules forcing them to either strike deals with media outlets to pay for content, or pay a set “charge” on their revenue.

This charge, or the News Bargaining Incentive, is the latest addition to an existing industry code legislated in 2021 that was supposed to push Big Tech companies to enter into payment deals with major outlets in Australia.