Making—and Sustaining—the News: A Virtual Discussion
The question of how to fund newsgathering has made the news. With the advent of internet classifieds, the growth of massive search and social media platforms, and the wide availability of free news content, media organizations—particularly local and regional ones—have faced challenges in sustaining robust newsgathering operations. Since 2005, 2,500 newspapers, or more than a quarter of the U.S. total, have shuttered, and newspaper employment has fallen by 70 percent. This decline affects not only news businesses but raises questions about America’s ability to maintain an informed citizenry. It also touches on issues including antitrust, censorship, privacy, and more.
Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code, enacted in 2021, represents a landmark policy intervention to address a perceived imbalance in bargaining power between news organizations and major advertising-driven internet platforms. Australia’s Code has also inspired similar proposals in other countries, including the United States.
Please join us on May 1 at 5pm Eastern for a virtual discussion with contributors to our recently published symposium on Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code and implications for U.S. Policy.
Making—and Sustaining—the News: Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code and Implications for U.S. Policy
Panelists:
Terry Flew, University of Sydney
Chris Krewson, LION Publishers
Josh Hammer, Newsweek
Sohrab Ahmari, Compact
Matt Stoller, American Economic Liberties Project
Peter Lewis, Essential Media
May 1, 2023
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm (Eastern Time)