The Online News Act and its impact on Canada’s ethnic media landscape
The Online News Act and its impact on Canada’s ethnic media landscape
By Susan Jose
New Canadian Media
Amid concerns surrounding Bill C-18, some question the legislation’s ability to help smaller, ethnic media outlets.
March 30, 2023
The federal government’s Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, could lead some social media platforms to block Canadian access to news if passed. While Google has already tried limiting some Canadian users’ news access in response, critics of the bill worry it neglects smaller media, including ethnic outlets, and fails to provide a sustainable solution for a disrupted industry.
The legislation aims to support Canadian news businesses through compensation from large tech companies such as Google or Facebook — now the beneficiaries of massive advertising revenues — when those platforms share links to Canadian news content. While messaging services are exempt, the platforms will be subject to discussion, mediation, and arbitration in cases when parties can’t reach an agreement.
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