Social media giant Google has renewed an agreement with the organisation responsible for regional and local newspapers in Australia to license their content.
Country Press Australia (CPA) said the renewal of the partnership with Alphabet business Google included the continuation of the Google News Showcase program across 80 publications.
The program allows news publishers to curate story panels on Google News and other platforms, providing users with a richer news experience while offering publishers a new revenue stream.
CPA President Andrew Schreyer said the renewal of the agreement showed Google valued unique and professionally produced content from rural, regional and local communities in every Australian state and territory.
“And our members value Google’s support as it helps them keep supporting their communities with local public interest journalism that forms an essential piece of democratic infrastructure,” Schreyer said in a statement.
“This is not only a great outcome for Google and Country Press Australia members, but also good for the future of public interest journalism in rural, regional and local communities at a challenging time for the industry.”
Google’s Head of News Partnerships AUNZ Nic Hopkins said Google recognised the critical role that CPA publications played in delivering the local news that was so essential to informed and thriving communities.
“We remain committed to supporting their long-term sustainability and success," Hopkins said in the statement.
Google established agreements with Australian newspaper publishers in 2021 under the News Media Bargaining Code, which required platforms like Google and Facebook parent Meta Platforms to pay for news content to help support public interest journalism and improve the sustainability of the media.
They paid more than A$140 million into the Australian news industry, benefiting both large and small publishers.
However META, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, has announced it will not renew its agreements with Australian news publishers, and the Australian Government has not yet announced whether it will force Meta to keeping paying for content.
Google has also extended agreements with other News Showcase partners such as regional and independent outlets Solstice Media, Times News Group, The Conversation, Women's Agenda and Independent Australia.