Tighter controls needed to prevent global tech giants from undercutting SA news companies: Competition Commission
The organisations are suffering a loss in revenue to the likes of Google, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X.
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JOHANNESBURG - The Competition Commission said that tighter controls were needed to prevent global tech giants from undercutting South African news media companies.
The organisations are suffering a loss in revenue to the likes of Google, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X.
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After the closure of some publications and job losses, the competition watchdog set up an inquiry to investigate concerns that some market features in digital platforms that distribute news media content might restrict, distort, or impede competition.
A media veteran and panellist on the inquiry, Paula Fray, said large digital platforms were diverting web traffic from news outlets to their own services, stripping companies of advertising revenue.
"The inquiry has identified evidence of bias in Google’s algorithm, which disadvantages South African media in general."