Google’s decision to remove links to California news websites in response to the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA) has sparked controversy and debate. In a blog post on Friday, Google accused CJPA of favoring conglomerates and hedge funds at the expense of small local newsrooms.
Jaffer Zaidi, VP of Global News Partnerships at Google, wrote in the blog post that CJPA would allow media conglomerates to buy up local California newspapers, strip them of journalists, and produce low-quality content with a skeleton crew. The law would also disadvantage small publishers and limit consumers’ access to diverse local media.
The CJPA, which was cleared by the California state legislature in 2023, requires platforms like Google to pay a “journalism usage fee” to eligible digital news organizations whose content appears in search results. Eligible California-based news outlets must submit a notice to Google, which will then track the number of links displayed and the presence of the news outlet’s work to residents in California. Google will then allocate a percentage of its advertising revenue to the news organizations that apply.
Google’s opposition to CJPA stems from concerns about giving large news conglomerates an unfair advantage and potential financial exposure. However, supporters of the law argue that it could help struggling local news outlets regain lost revenue and support the fourth estate.
As the debate continues, the impact of CJPA on the media landscape and the future of journalism in California remains uncertain. Google’s “short-term test” to remove links to California news websites is just the beginning of what could be a significant shift in how news is consumed and supported in the digital age.