On Thursday, February 25th, local time, Australia passed the so-called New Media Law, requiring digital platforms such as Facebook and Google to pay for content citing local media and publishers so that they can link the content to news feeds or search results. 

This was not unexpected. Just a few days ago, the Australian government proposed partial amendments to the proposed bill at the last minute. The official name of the bill is the "News Media and Digital Platform Mandatory Bargaining Act." Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code).

Facebook previously announced that it will restore the Australian news page. Earlier this month, Facebook announced that it would no longer allow Australian publishers and users to share or view news links, including blocking Australian government news in response to Australian government media legislation.

Australia’s Minister of Communications, Paul Fletcher, said on Twitter: “We believe that the bill will support Australia’s diverse, sustainable, and public interest news sector.”

Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg said the legislation would "help create a level playing field" and ensure that Australian news media companies are paid for creating original content. He said: "This regulation is a major microeconomic reform that has focused the world's attention on the Australian Parliament."

Regulators around the world have been paying close attention to Australia’s media legislation in response to the dominance of Facebook and Google in the advertising field. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he has discussed the new law with the leaders of India, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. (Little) 

Source: NetEase Technology Report, translated by Google Translate