Media Files: ACCC seeks to clip wings of tech giants like Facebook and Google but international effort is required

In a landmark report, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has urged the federal government to fix the uneven market power of digital companies like Facebook and Google that make it almost impossible for traditional media companies to compete for advertising and audiences.

The Digital Platforms Inquiry report, released in late July, lists 23 recommendations that cover all aspects of how and where we get our news. The ACCC’s proposed changes span competition law, consumer protections, media regulation and privacy laws.

Today, the Media Files team talks to a media owner and journalism expert to look closely at what the ACCC has suggested needs to change so media businesses remain economically viable and able to produce reliable news in all parts of Australia.

Media Files’ guests are media academic and journalist Margaret Simons from Monash University and Ross McPherson, editor-in-chief of the McPherson Media Group, publisher of 14 newspapers in regional Victoria and New South Wales.

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Additional credits

Producers: Andy Hazel and Gavin Nebauer.

Theme music: Susie Wilkins.

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AAP/EPA/JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE

Andrea Carson was invited to give her expert views to the ACCC during the inquiry and is the author of 'Investigative journalism, democracy and the digital age' published by Routledge, which is quoted in the ACCC's final report. She is also a chief investigator on an Australian Research Council grant examining the role of media coverage and other factors on public policy making.

Matthew Ricketson is a chief investigator on an Australian Research Council grant led by Deakin University about developing new ways to support the survival of country media in the digital era. He is a member of the board of the Public Interest Journalism Foundation.

Andrew Dodd does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.