April 29, 2026 — The Australian government has proposed new legislation to levy a percentage of revenue from major digital platforms including Meta, Google, and TikTok, with the proceeds earmarked to support local journalism. The move builds on Australia’s pioneering role in regulating the relationship between tech giants and news media.

Legislative Background

Australia was the first country to pass a News Media Bargaining Code in 2021, forcing tech platforms to pay for news content. The new proposal goes further, shifting from a bilateral negotiation model to a broader industry-wide taxation mechanism.

Under the proposal, qualifying large digital platforms would be taxed at a set percentage of their revenue, with funds specifically allocated to support local news organizations. The approach mirrors Australia’s previous levy model applied to the banking sector.

Global Impact

Australia’s move could have significant implications for digital news policy worldwide. Canada already passed a similar Online News Act in 2023, and the European Union has been exploring frameworks for platform compensation for news content.

“Australia has consistently played the role of ’testing ground’ for digital news regulation,” said a media policy expert. “If this taxation model proves successful, other countries will likely follow suit.”

Industry Response

As of now, Meta, Google, and TikTok have not issued formal comments on the proposal. In previous similar legislative efforts, Meta responded by blocking news links in Australia, while Google opted to negotiate.

Industry analysts suggest that as global regulation around platform compensation for news content tightens, tech companies may need to reassess their news distribution strategies across different jurisdictions.

Source: NPR