Australia’s new Bill to regulate Facebook, Google figures in Morrison’s chat with PM Modi
The HinduAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has discussed Canberra’s media policy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conversation was held in the backdrop of the Morrison government’s negotiation with tech giants Facebook and Google, which led to temporary suspension of many Australian accounts on social media platforms on Thursday. Mr. Modi had informed about his discussion with Mr. Morrison a day before but his social media post did not highlight the portion on the Australian Bill. According to the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020, big tech and social media giants like Facebook and Google will have to pay local news outlets for using their content. The discussion with Mr. Modi is being viewed as significant as the Centre has looked at reining in major social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter over freedom of expression and the ongoing farmers’ protest.