The Australian government has expressed its intention to consider including TikTok in the revised News Media Bargaining Code, alongside tech giants Google and Meta.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones revealed the government’s stance, suggesting that TikTok should be encompassed within the code, which mandates tech giants to financially support Australia’s news media.

“TikTok is carrying media but is not included. I believe TikTok should be included. That’s the obvious move at this moment,” Jones stated in an interview with The Australian.

The News Media Bargaining Code, introduced in February 2021, obliges technology giants like Google and Meta to make payments for utilizing content produced by news organizations.

The primary objective of this code is to address the prevailing imbalance between foreign tech giants and smaller media entities.

Jones emphasised that, despite the fact that Google and Meta have already entered into over 30 commercial agreements following the code’s implementation, there are numerous other social media platforms that continue to utilize news media content without financial compensation.

Employ government powers

Furthermore, Jones asserted that while tech companies and social media platforms are expected to engage in good faith negotiations for new commercial agreements, the government possesses the authority to employ its powers under the code, and it is not hesitant to do so when necessary.

In response to these developments, TikTok declined to provide a comment.

This announcement follows Nine Entertainment’s CEO, Mike Sneesby, advocating for the consideration of video content in the renegotiation of news media bargaining code deals.

This request came after Facebook and Instagram demonstrated an increased focus on video content within their platforms.

Speaking at Nine’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the previous year, Sneesby pointed out the significant rise in the utilisation of video content, encompassing news, sports, and entertainment-related content, on Facebook and Instagram’s Reels platforms.