Context: Australia’s News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code have opened up debates on the regulation of digital media and its effects on free speech.
Arguments against the Code
Surveillance capitalism: Power local media houses (Rupert Murdoch, owning 70% of the news market) are considered to the main force behind the passage of such regulation.
Instead of regulating the digital platforms, the code has shown its bias towards the local media houses.
Compelled speech is not free speech: Asking the online platforms for a fee and regulation of content impact their free speech.
Breaks the web: Sir Tim Berners Lee, the creator of the web, has testified to Australian legislators that this breaks the web.
The Need for regulation of digital media
Monopoly in the Internet: hijacked by a small group of companies that are rewiring it.
Spread of Disinformation: Open platforms being used for disinformation operations and to fan the flames of political polarisation, hate speech, misogynistic abuse, terrorist propaganda etc.
Adoption of the sovereign role: Private corporate actors having the power to de-platform the most powerful politician, the U.S. President, shows the vacuum of institutional arrangement.
Ethical flaws in the business model: Conservative approach of the media industry, which limits itself to making a product called content and selling the audience to advertisers.
As opposed to it, Journalism is a service, and this essence shall be reflected in the business.