Google Rejects R500m Funding Proposal for SA News: 'We're Not an ATM'
In a significant development, Google has declined the Competition Commission's proposal to fund South African news outlets to the tune of R500m. Marianne Erasmus, Google's news partner lead for sub-Saharan Africa, recently discussed the media sustainability landscape and the Competition Commission's report on Big Tech with Ferial Haffajee. This conversation formed part of a series exploring the intricacies of media sustainability, highlighting the challenges faced by local news providers in the digital age. As the media industry continues to evolve, tech giants like Google are under increasing pressure to support local content creation, with many advocating for greater investment in digital media and online news platforms. With the rise of online news consumption, keywords like 'media sustainability', 'digital media', and 'online news platforms' have become increasingly relevant. As the debate surrounding Big Tech's role in supporting local media unfolds, one thing is clear: the future of South African news hangs in the balance.