A bill that would require big tech companies like Google to pay a “link tax” on California news is generating shockwaves throughout the state’s media landscape. The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), authored by Democrat Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, has spurred Google to remove news links from California-based websites, igniting a heated debate.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to comment on the “link tax” bill proposed by Democrat Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. (Screenshot/NBC)
Newsrooms Crumble as Tech Giants Tighten Grip
The bill aims to address the dwindling number of journalism jobs and support struggling newsrooms, a consequence of the digital age that has made it challenging for traditional media companies to profit. According to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, over 2,500 newspapers have closed in the U.S. since 2005, while California alone has lost over 100 news organizations in the past decade.
Supporters of the CJPA, including Wicks, argue that it’s “a bill about basic fairness,” ensuring that platforms like Google compensate for the content they use. However, Google maintains that the bill “undermines news” in California by creating an environment that is unsustainable for both the company and the journalism industry.
Google Flexes Muscles, Removes California News Links
In an apparent test of the CJPA’s potential impact, Google has begun a phased removal of news links to California news websites. The tech giant claims this move is a way to prepare for potential consequences and gauge its impact on its “product experience.”
Google claims that the “link tax” bill, if enacted, could create “a level of business uncertainty that no company could accept.” (Photographer: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
