Alternative Approaches to Bill C-18 - Online News Act -

An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada __________________________________________________________________ March 14, 20231 Please consider a Joint Statement from Government of Canada and Google, i.e. As leaders in our respective fields, we recognize the critical importance of protecting journalism and promoting a strong and independent press for the future of our democracy. In this spirit, we are pleased to announce our collaboration on the implementation of Bill C-18.

Our partnership will ensure that the law's intended benefits are realized, while minimizing potential unintended consequences for online search engines, news organizations, and Canadians. Together, we are committed to preserving the principles of a free press, while also supporting the growth of a vibrant and sustainable digital ecosystem. We believe that our collaboration will set a positive precedent for the future, demonstrating that governments and private industry can work together effectively to protect the public interest.

In the end, our goal is simple: to create a love story of collaboration that we can bequeath to our children, a story that will inspire future generations to work towards a stronger and more resilient democracy, and a media ecosystem that supports it. “We need men who can dream of things that never were, and ask why not.” - George Bernard Shaw. It is not for lack of ability or energy, though; it is because we lack a noble goal. - Easwaran Behind-the-scenes talks can be successful in finding peaceful solutions, as they allow for more candid discussions and increased trust and understanding.

In contrast, public statements and actions are difficult to take back. They can lead to breakdowns in relationships and escalation of conflict, which can be difficult to repair as each party tries to defend its position in the public eye. Change the psychology of all the parties. Agree to fully respect the sovereign equality of one another to settle disputes. The final agreement will be a tribute to the skills of Canada's negotiating team; keeping stakeholders informed of what was going on without allowing too much interference.

Once the agreement is signed, other nations and tech companies can follow Canada's lead. Michael Geist, Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa indicated Bill C-18 would require payments to hundreds of broadcasters that may not face any requirements to produce news, creating harm to the competitiveness of independent media.

Mandated payments for links would harm freedom of expression and the free flow of information online which is more important than other concerns identified with the bill. (https://www.michaelgeist.ca/2022/04/just-how-extreme-is-bill- c-18-it-mandates-payments-merely-for-facilitating-access-to-news/)

Alternative Approaches to Bill C-18 - Online News Act -

An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada __________________________________________________________________ March 14, 20232 Bill C-18 may have unintended consequences which could be more harmful in the long-term, and could further erode trust. Also, how will laws deal with generative A.I. and future innovations. A.I., chatbots can contribute to the spread of click-bait, misinformation, and propaganda which are serious threats to the integrity of journalism and the public's trust in news and information sources.

This is particularly concerning for the future of democracy and vital institutions, which rely on accurate information and public trust to function effectively. A collaborative approach between technology companies, news organizations, and policymakers is a better approach to support the essential service of journalism, and ensure it is sustained. Collaboration can lead to specific actions to support journalism and democracy, such as investing in AI and machine-learning tools to detect disinformation, creating funding programs for struggling news organizations, and promoting media literacy and critical thinking.

At heart, the issue is about contributing to a safer world for future generations. Journalism provides accurate, trustworthy information, and voices and perspectives of diverse communities. Vital institutions such as government, education, and healthcare depends on it. It is essential to holding those in power accountable. Journalists are frontline workers who face serious threats to their safety and well-being, and protecting them should be a priority for all of us. That's why collaboration between Google, government, and other stakeholders is essential.

Big tech has disrupted the journalism industry by using data and algorithms. Journalists break the news, big tech does not. Algorithms cannot be on the ground witnessing important issues. Without journalists’ content, there is no accurate news. Due to its wide reach and technology, big tech gleans the profits from journalists’ work. It also unintentionally can cause ripples of misinformation and propaganda. An aside: “Our bodies weren’t designed for modern diets. For centuries, the average hunter-gatherer might not know when the next meal would arrive.

Nature’s solution was to design us to overeat whenever high-calorie foods were available. This hardwiring is ill-suited for a modern environment, where food is abundant. A similar argument could be applied to our brains: our minds weren’t designed for the attentional demands of modern life. Like our taste buds, our instincts for what to pay attention to were shaped by millions of years of survival. Social gossip and threats to our personal well-being were highly relevant for most of our species’ history. Life in a small community meant that this information was vital to staying alive.

Our attentional environment is now completely different. Our attentional instincts make it easy for us to get sucked into the lives of people we will never meet, feel anxious about news that has no impact on us, and encourages us to scroll long past the point when using our phones is entertaining.” (https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2023/03/05/needing-attention/) We need to acknowledge our attentional instincts, and the consequences of how this plays out in societies.

Alternative Approaches to Bill C-18 - Online News Act -

An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada __________________________________________________________________ March 14, 20233 Supporting journalism is in the best interest of both the public, and in the interest of technology companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft. They can help ensure that the public has access to accurate and trustworthy information. This is essential for promoting informed decision-making and a healthy democracy. It also benefits Google users by providing them with high-quality content that they can trust.

From Google's perspective, a collaborative approach could ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are considered, and that the solutions developed are fair and sustainable, while ensuring that Google can continue to innovate and grow. Google has already taken steps to support journalism through its Google News Initiative, and its (GNI) Journalist Emergency Relief Fund. This is a program designed to provide financial assistance to journalists facing emergency situations such as natural disasters, illness, or persecution.

The fund is aimed at providing short-term support to help journalists stay safe and continue their work. To apply for the GNI Journalist Emergency Relief Fund, journalists can submit an application to the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), a partner of the Google News Initiative. The IWMF reviews and approves applications on a case-by-case basis and provides financial assistance directly to the journalist. The fund is not a long-term solution and is intended to provide temporary support in times of crisis.

Journalists who receive assistance from the fund are expected to use the money to cover expenses related to their emergency situation, such as medical bills or relocation costs. More could be done in this area. Google could work with all stakeholders to identify a fair and viable solution (that could include a percentage of profits towards protecting journalism, truth and democracy). It could also support the development of innovative new models for journalism, such as non-profit news organizations or community-based journalism initiatives.

Help develop new revenue models, subscription-based models, digital tools, and platforms. From the government's perspective, a collaborative approach ensures that any policies developed are evidence-based and consider the diverse needs of the media landscape. The government can play a role in facilitating discussions between stakeholders and supporting initiatives that help sustain local news ecosystems. Governments can also provide funding through grants or tax incentives to develop sustainable solutions that support the long-term viability of the media industry.

Governments can provide legal protections for journalists. Stakeholders can work towards diversity and inclusivity in the media to ensure a variety of voices and perspectives are represented. Engagement with smaller news organizations and independent journalists: Policymakers can provide support for local news ecosystems, which are often the most vulnerable to the challenges facing the industry. This can include funding for local news initiatives and policies to support local journalism, and independent journalists. Include funding for investigative reporting.

Promote diversity and inclusion, essential for ensuring that all voices are represented and heard. This can help support a healthy and vibrant media ecosystem. Stakeholders can provide valuable insights into the challenges they face and the solutions that could work for them.

Alternative Approaches to Bill C-18 - Online News Act -

An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada __________________________________________________________________ March 14, 20234 Foster ongoing collaboration: The media landscape is constantly evolving, and it is important that the collaborative discussion between stakeholders is ongoing. This can help to ensure that the solutions developed remain relevant and effective over time.

Collaboration between news organizations: News organizations can collaborate with each other to share resources and expertise, and to develop new models for sustaining journalism. Public education and consultations: It is important to educate the public about the value of journalism and the challenges facing the industry (and to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources of information). By increasing awareness and understanding, we can promote informed decision-making and support the media ecosystem. The public can become more engaged through online surveys, town hall meetings, etc.

Collaboration with academia: Academia can provide valuable research and analysis on the challenges facing the media landscape and the potential solutions. Collaborating with academic institutions can ensure that the discussions are evidence-based and that the solutions are grounded in sound research. This can help inform policies and initiatives to support journalism. Developing industry standards: Companies, news organizations, and policymakers can work together to develop industry standards and best practices for supporting journalism.

These standards can help guide the development of policies and initiatives that are effective, efficient, and equitable. Increase transparency: All stakeholders should be transparent about their goals, interests, and potential conflicts of interest. This can help to build trust and ensure that the solutions developed are fair and equitable. Support open data initiatives: Open data initiatives can help promote transparency and accountability in government and other institutions.

By supporting open data initiatives, we can help support journalism and enable reporters to uncover stories that might otherwise remain hidden. By pursuing a multi-faceted approach that involves education, innovation, research, collaboration, and support for local news, we can develop a sustainable and thriving media landscape in Canada. We can have informed decision-making, and a thriving democracy Other Ideas (preferably with Google taking the lead) Promote press freedom: Google can promote press freedom by partnering with organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists or Reporters Without Borders.

It could also use its platform to raise awareness of press freedom issues and to highlight the importance of independent journalism. Provide data insights: Google can provide news organizations with data insights to help them better understand their audiences and improve their content.

Alternative Approaches to Bill C-18 - Online News Act -

An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada __________________________________________________________________ March 14, 20235 Prioritize local news: Google can prioritize local news sources in its search algorithms to ensure that local news is more visible to users. Provide training and resources to help news organizations adapt to new technologies and changes in the industry.

Tools for journalists: Google could provide tools and resources to help journalists create and distribute their content, such as access to Google Docs or analytics tools to track subscriber engagement. Integrate AI: Develop AI tools to detect and flag fake news; tools to help journalists fact-check their articles (this could include machine learning algorithms that scan news articles and flag potential inaccuracies or tools that help journalists quickly verify information). Tools to analyze data, and identify trends. A tool to remove bias in news stories and to promote diversity and inclusivity in news coverage.

For example, the algorithm can be trained to flag stories that use language that is offensive or exclusionary to certain groups, or to promote stories that highlight diverse perspectives and voices. Expand language support: Google can invest in technology that allows for better translation and localization of news content. This would allow news organizations to reach a broader audience and provide access to information for people who speak languages other than English. Implement a content syndication model, where publishers can pay a fee to access and publish the journalist's content.

This can be beneficial for both the publisher and the journalist, as it can increase the reach and exposure of the content, while also providing compensation to the journalist. Establish licensing agreements for the use of journalists’ content. By licensing their work, journalists can receive compensation for their content and maintain control over how it is used. This can also help prevent unauthorized use or reproduction of their work. Revenue sharing: Google could take a small percentage of the subscription fee as a transaction fee, and the rest could be paid directly to the journalists.

Content exclusivity: Google could provide incentives for journalists to offer exclusive content to subscribers, such as early access to breaking news or in-depth analysis. Promotion and discovery: Google could use its search engine and other platforms to promote and highlight journalists who are part of the subscription platform, making it easier for users to discover new content.

Digital rights management (DRM) technologies can prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of content, while blockchain-based solutions can provide secure and transparent records of ownership and usage rights. “We need men who can dream of things that never were, and ask why not.” - George Bernard Shaw. It is not for lack of ability or energy, though; it is because we lack a noble goal. - Easwaran