Digital Tech and Publishing in Canada - Changes in Landscapes Part 1

A significant publishing controversy over the last twenty years involves major social media platforms allowing the re-posting of news media across platforms without compensation to creators. Unlike iTunes paying the artists’ dues for audience listening, social media platforms have not been paying journalists and media outlets for “streaming” content on their sites. The liberal government of Canada announced in April that it would mandate changes to this disparity, with the aim of protecting and preserving the Canadian news industry. See a recent article about online digital giants by CBC for more.

If social media platforms like facebook, instagram and tik tok allow the reposting and sharing of content that was created by news media outlets for their own gains, it stands to reason that there could be an equal capacity for independent creators down the road to receive renumeration. There may one day be a social media creators union that advocates for online content creators… TBD!

Referenced Article

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/online-giants-must-pay-for-news-bill-1.6408856