In Australia, a specific “bargaining code” has been introduced by law to help support the sustainability of the Australian news media sector by addressing the bargaining power imbalances between global digital giants, such as Facebook and Google, and Australian news businesses.

However, there is no such legislation in New Zealand, so the NPA is seeking permission from the Commerce Commission for independent New Zealand news media to be allowed to collectively bargain to try to address the same bargaining power imbalances that exist in New Zealand.

General Manager of the NPA, Brook Cameron, says the NPA has filed this application, on behalf of New Zealand’s independent media, to seek approval for an initiative that should assist in achieving fairer remuneration for them to support their sustainability and viability and, therefore, contribute to greater diversity of views in New Zealand news and journalism that best represent and inform New Zealand communities.

“These global tech giants have built businesses of unimaginable size and amassed their dominant power by using ‘free press’ on their platforms – news made and paid for by media companies.

While New Zealand media companies are investing in Kiwi journalism, Google and Facebook use journalists’ content for free, pay very little tax in New Zealand,* consume the vast majority of available digital advertising spend in New Zealand, and less than ten cents in every dollar spent on digital advertising in New Zealand goes to New Zealand news producers that invest in producing journalism and news content.** It’s a lose, lose, lose for New Zealand.

Together these two giants have revenue that is greater than New Zealand’s GDP.*** New Zealand businesses face a huge power imbalance in trying to negotiate with them to pay fairly for Kiwi journalists’ content.

That’s why we are asking the Commerce Commission for permission to negotiate collectively to seek fair payment for all independent New Zealand media organisations that choose to participate in this. This is about taking steps to support our New Zealand media companies to keep investing in great journalism to protect and grow a vibrant, thriving Kiwi media sector because that is critical to a healthy democracy.

The global pandemic has once again highlighted the critical role of New Zealand journalism as Kiwis turn to their trusted sources for news. At the same time our media companies have been investing to fight the ‘fake news’ on social channels that have threatened to undermine our country’s collective response to keeping New Zealanders safe from the virus.

Since the start of the pandemic the global platforms have significantly increased their market capitalisation.**** We are seeking an avenue to negotiate for fair payment, in the same way that media organisations in Australia have been provided the ability to negotiate with the digital platforms. ”

The application is being made on an “opt in” basis, with it open for NPA members, and other independent New Zealand owned media organisations, to choose to participate in the collective bargaining group should it be approved by the Commerce Commission. The NPA invites any independent New Zealand-owned media organisation to register their interest in joining this, should it be approved, by emailing hello@npa.co.nz.

For further information:
Please contact Brook Cameron, General Manager, News Publishers’ Association on brook.cameron@npa.co.nz