News chief Miller thanks all but fails to mention Facebook

Feb 17, 2021 at 07:07 pm by Staff


Michael Miller, who heads News Corp locally as executive chairman Australasia, praised "the vision and diligence of News Corp and its leadership" for its global agreement with Google.

A statement this morning at 10.20 am makes no mention of Facebook's action in removing news from its sites.

Miller thanks "the people at Google, led by Sundar Pichai and his team" and ACCC chair Rod Sims, and acknowledges Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, treasurer Josh Frydenberg and communications minister Paul Fletcher "as well as the opposition parties, in particular the ALP and Greens", and "a wide range of other people and organisations whose efforts would benefit all Australians through the continued provision of independent, trusted journalism.

"This has always been about securing the future of journalism for the benefit of the people it serves and not about individual companies," he said.

He also mentions former senator Nick Xenophon and senator Stirling Griff, "instrumental in having Australia adopt a world first, highly innovative policy approach.

"Their work has charted a path that will benefit all journalism-based organisations in Australia."

Miller says that while the Google agreement is "an important moment for our company", it is even more important for journalism and the people it serves, "no matter how they consume news".

He pledges to continue to invest in journalism and the skills needed to tell stories in new and evolving ways across our communities, and for a digital future.

Singling out News Corp co-executive chairmen Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch "along with chief executive Robert Thomson" for recognition, he harks back to the 2000s, when Thomson had raised the role of big tech "as an issue" when he was editor of The Times.

"Thanks to his leadership over the many years since the entire industry can now return to a sustainable model."

He also thanked "everyone here at News Corp Australia" for their role in "serving the Australian public interest by providing citizens with the news and information they desire and need.

"Your time and talent has contributed mightily to this result, which can help to benefit not only our lives and livelihoods, but the communities and country in which we live and work."

Sections: Digital business

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