Canadian journalism organizations eagerly awaiting their share of the $100 million Google payout in exchange for being exempt from the Online News Act will have to wait a bit longer than anticipated. The entity in charge of distributing the funds has announced a delay in the timeline originally provided, pushing the payout window to mid-February to mid-March.
Key points to note:
- The Canadian Journalism Collective is currently evaluating applicants to determine their eligibility for the funds.
- Once approved, outlets can expect their initial payments within two weeks of submitting the necessary paperwork.
- The payments are a result of the Online News Act, which aims to level the playing field by extracting compensation from large tech companies.
- Google agreed to pay $100 million annually to media organizations for a five-year exemption from the Online News Act.
- Meta, on the other hand, avoided making payments by blocking access to Canadian news on its platforms.
Furthermore, to ensure accuracy in fund distribution, there will be a preliminary partial payment. This step is crucial in verifying the number of employee hours claimed by news organizations. Consulting and accounting firms will later audit and verify these hours from May to August, with the final payouts being adjusted accordingly.
- Eligible publishers are estimated to receive around $13,798 per full-time journalist, while broadcasters will receive approximately $6,806 per eligible worker.
- Industry experts estimate that publishers may receive between $18,000 to $20,000 per journalist once ineligible organizations are excluded.
To qualify for these funds, outlets must produce news of general interest, operate in Canada, and adhere to journalistic ethics. Additionally, they must belong to a recognized journalistic association or follow a set code of ethics ensuring fairness, independence, and rigorous reporting standards.
Later stages will involve resolving disputes and distributing remaining funds to eligible news organizations. In an effort to promote transparency, there are calls for the Canadian Journalism Collective to disclose their determinations of eligible outlets before funds are distributed.
In conclusion, the delayed payout timeline may come as a disappointment to many Canadian journalism organizations eagerly awaiting financial relief. However, this process will ensure fairness in fund distribution and support the sustainability of news outlets across the country. As the industry continues to evolve, these financial injections play a vital role in supporting quality journalism in Canada.
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