Last week, Google started blocking links to news stories, both through its search results and its “discover” feature for nearly 4% of the population, a test the company said would last for five weeks. The company framed the blocking as a series of “tests” meant to better understand the implications of the controversial bill.
“It really surprises me that Google has decided that they would rather prevent Canadians from accessing news than actually paying journalists for the work they do,” prime minister Justin Trudeau said in response. “I think that’s a terrible mistake and I know that Canadians expect journalists to be well paid for the work they do.”
Justin, Baby. You’ve just changed the cost to Google of running news links. Why do you think that won’t change the behaviour of Google?
So, when I buy a copy of the British National Biography, some of that money is sent to the tens of thousands of people listed?
Spain tried this back in 2014. It took their politicians 7 years to admit they got it wrong, even though the newspapers were complaining after less than a year.
Canada: But… but… You’re not supposed to do that!…
Google: Sorry.. You lot “suppose”. We actually can. Now bugg’r off.
Ask Justin what kind of press freedom Rebel News is able to exercise in his country.
Trudeaus definition of press freedom in Canada is printing what the government say you can print, one of the few things he’s had some success at