澳大利亚政府对《新闻讨价还价激励法》(News Bargaining Incentive)进行了重大调整，修改了向科技平台征收费用的结构。[1]征收基础从科技巨头在澳洲的总收入改为仅针对数字广告收入，税率同时从2.25%上升至2.5%。[1]此外，政府要求平台与至少6家新闻发行商达成协议，相比之下原计划仅需与4家达成协议。[1]
新闻集团对这些修改表示强烈反对。[1]集团执行主席Michael Miller表示这些变化"削弱了科技平台达成公平协议的激励"。[1]相比之下，九号传媒等其他发行商的反应相对温和。[1]
政府预测该政策将产生2亿至2.5亿澳元的年度收入，这部分来自与发行商达成公平商业协议的平台。[1]对于拒绝谈判的平台，将需支付3.5亿至4亿澳元。[1]助理财务部长Daniel Mulino表示该政策将导致科技巨头支付更多费用。[1]政府还取消了对LinkedIn等专业网络服务的豁免。[1]
The Australian government has substantially modified its News Bargaining Incentive policy, reshaping how technology companies will be required to compensate media outlets for news content.[1] The revised framework shifts the levy base from tech giants' total Australian revenue to their digital advertising revenue specifically, while simultaneously raising the tax rate from 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent.[1] Additionally, the government has increased the minimum number of publisher agreements platforms must secure from four to at least six, and eliminated previous exemptions that had applied to professional networking services such as LinkedIn.[1]
News Corporation has responded sharply to these modifications, with Executive Chairman Michael Miller contending that the changes have "weakened the incentive for tech platforms to reach fair agreements."[1] Under the revised policy, platforms that negotiate deals with publishers are projected to generate between 200 million and 250 million Australian dollars in annual revenue for the government, whereas those that refuse to negotiate face potential penalties of 350 million to 400 million Australian dollars.[1] Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino has defended the adjustments, asserting that the policy will result in technology companies paying more in fees.[1] Other media organizations, including Nine Entertainment, have taken a more measured stance toward the policy modifications.[1]