Australian publishers want Meta to be forced to carry news (and pay for it)

Pretty silly I guess. They may as well force Australian households to buy a newspaper subscription and cut out the middle man.

I can understand the desire by publishers to retain an income stream and maintain their existence.

However, the underlying desire is for decent journalism, and if the government wants that, they could just pay journalists. Preferably via lump sums to journalist organisations which would then employ the journalists. Their output would be public domain so that the publishers could make use of it.

"Tell 'em, they're dreamin'" *

Rupert Murdoch always has to have his cut. Still a leech.

* The Castle (1997 movie)

> The alliance is reportedly calling for a “must carry” law that would require Meta to take news on its platforms.

I really, really hate having to say anything in defense of Facebook, but this is just a scummy move. If you're going to tax them, at least be honest about it and call it a tax.