Controversy Erupts at CRTC Over Google’s First Online News Act Payment

August 8, 2024 TruthUSA

A dispute is unfolding at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission regarding Google’s initial $100 million annual payment to Canadian news outlets.

The entity designated by Google to allocate the funds to news outlets has presented its governance structure plans to the CRTC for approval.

If the CRTC is content with the proposed plans, Google will receive an exemption from the Online News Act, triggering the payments.

However, some news outlets argue that the presented plan lacks completeness and are concerned that revisions may cause delays in payment.

News outlet groups are pushing for Google to initiate payments before the year’s end, distributing the funds through an accounting firm while finalizing the permanent plan.

Google contends that they should only commence payments upon receiving full exemption from the law.