PRESS RELEASE

-Brussels, 1 October 2020-

Google announced today the launch of a $1 billion investment to support news publishers through the Google News Showcase. The new product will launch soon on Google News, Discover and Search.

Wout van Wijk, Executive Director of News Media Europe, reacted: “While News Media Europe welcomes willingness to pay for press publishers’ content, we note that the announcement comes at a time of mounting pressure in France pending the verdict of Google’s appeal against the Competition Authority’s preliminary ruling, and in Australia where the news media bargaining Code will soon be released”.

He continued: “We are happy that Google acknowledges the importance of professional news content to a functioning democratic society. However, the Google News Showcase cannot be a substitute to the democratically adopted Copyright Directive, nor should it be used by Google to push press publishers to give up their neighbouring right.”

Partnerships so far include “nearly 200 leading publications across Germany Brazil, Canada, the U.K. and Australia” and could expand to “other countries including India, Belgium and the Netherlands”. The News Showcase is said to build on the existing news licensing program announced last June.

In the aftermath of the Covid19 crisis, seeking deals to overcome advertising losses can be a necessity. Yet News Media Europe warns against the conclusion of unilateral deals, which would allow Google to retain control over the exploitation of online news and undermine the value of press content.

Hence News Media Europe continues to call for a swift and faithful transposition of the Copyright Directive.

About News Media Europe

News Media Europe (NME) represents the progressive news media industry in Europe – over 2500 European news brands in print or online, and also on radio and TV. NME is committed to maintaining and promoting the freedom of the press, to upholding and enhancing the freedom to publish, and to championing the news brands which are one of the most vital parts of Europe’s creative industries.

For further information, please contact:

Wout van Wijk, wout.vanwijk@newsmediaeurope.eu