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Jakarta (Beritajatim.com) – press council pointed to Google’s decision to block news content originating in Canada in response to plans to implement Bill C-18. This is a new regulation that the Government of Canada will implement to increase economic fairness between news organizations and digital platforms.

Member of the Press Council, Atmaji Sapto Anggoro, rates the Canadian Bill C-18 case as a phenomenon in the digital world. Similar cases have also occurred in France and Australia, where the local government has adopted regulations of a similar nature to encourage digital platforms to increase the bargaining position of news publishing companies.

“Events in France, Australia and Canada show that the world needs a new balance,” Sapto said when contacted. www.beritajatim.com via WhatsApp conversation app, Thursday (2/23/2023).

In the past, Sapto explained, global digital platforms such as Google and others were used more as search engines. Along with the invention and development of technology key words And marking for search optimization, there is potential for revenue through advertising offers.

But when there is trade potential and dominance emerges, where the algorithm is not open automatically fair, it breeds injustice. In Sapto’s view, this is the result of digital platforms intentionally or unintentionally using online media as a Trojan horse (Trojan horse) for unilateral gain.

“Google should follow Canada’s regulations. Although they secretly like but reject content that doesn’t sell well (low traffic) and accuse Bill C-18 of only addressing big media oligarchs, these are just reasons that can actually be discussed,” he said.

READ ALSO: Google blocks some news content from Canada

Sapto also explained that Bill C-18 prepared by the Government of Canada actually introduced a new negotiation framework to support the information sector. Amid the dominance of digital platforms, content should receive fair compensation.

Moreover, so far the algorithm, especially that of Google, does not adhere to the values ​​advocated by journalism or the code of ethics. (code of Conduct) which apply in each country. So that Google can direct (led) a dangerous situation because it places data with one-sided relevance solely based on the legitimacy of the platform.

“This is where the need for compensation for use also necessitates accountability for having presented it to the public as a party to the law,” Sapto said.

On the other hand, Sapto reminded that platforms would get nothing if media companies shut down Google’s Internet Protocol. But with regulations like Canada’s, there should be win-win solutions for both parties so that the sustainability of each is maintained.

In Bill C-18, Sapto explained, it was also regulated to meet the requirements. The news organization must be a qualified journalism organization or meet other legal criteria covering operations and regularly employing two or more journalists in Canada.

“This should not be an excuse for Google to unilaterally shut down Canadian media content,” he said.

READ ALSO: Here’s Google’s Statement Regarding Perpres’ Sustainable Media Project

Observing Google’s position, Sapto said the Press Council, as a party involved in developing regulations in the Indonesian context, sees this as an interesting and valuable lesson. Although the conditions that occur are not quite the same between Indonesia and Canada.

“Because the platforms here, including Google, are quite cooperative and ready to work with the media in Indonesia fairly,” Sapto said.

In addition, Sapto said that the Press Council had submitted a draft regulation on sustainable media to the government. According to him, three drafts were submitted, but the draft of the Press Council only wanted to open the data to the public on the basis of a mutual agreement of the voters.

“We see that voters have an important and critical role that can strengthen the draft presidential decree on the responsibility of digital platforms to support quality journalism,” said Sapto. [beq]