Google’s one-sided plan is bad audio news for all of us
Google’s plans to create an audio news service similar to existing radio networks should alarm not just media companies but society as a whole.
The way the tech giant is pursuing its intentions demonstrates how it exploits its market power so selfishly, and highlights why regulators in the US, Europe and Australia are now focused on ?creating a fairer, more equitable digital landscape.
Over the past two decades, Google has caused severe ?destruction and disruption to the journalism business model.
Even newish digital darlings like BuzzFeed — once thought to be a news model for modern times — are learning fast the pain Google (and Facebook) can cause through their dominance of how information is distributed, and how dependent publishers are on the whims of the tech giants’ -algorithms.
Not a lot has been written about Google’s plans to change the way we listen to news but I -believe it is time for media publishers to start taking notice and to take a stand.
Audio news is one of the new growth areas for media — smart phones and smart speakers are encouraging consumers to seek out information in different ways, and millions now listen to news and podcasts digitally in their homes, cars or on public transport.
This development has opened up new audiences for publishers who are diversifying how they -deliver their rich journalism to the public, and demonstrates why radio has proven such a resilient media platform in these digital times.
On the back of this trend, Google intends to revolutionise how news is consumed on its smart speaker, Google Home, and AI-powered mobile app, Assistant.
Publishers are being asked to breakdown podcasts, audio news briefings and radio broadcasts into “single topic stories” that Google’s algorithm can reorganise into a personalised newsfeed for individual users based on their interests.
That may sound innocuous at first, but in reality, it’s a way for Google to drive consumers from publishers’ websites and radio -stations, and keep them in the Google ecosystem.
In other words, Google intends to profit off the creativity and -industry of journalists and media businesses without paying for the privilege.
What worries me about this development is that Google wants publishers and broadcasters to help them build this new business by giving away audio content for free without any commercial agreement to share in the benefits of it. Internet history is repeating itself. For years Google has used its dominance to push publishers to provide news articles for free or risk demotion in search.
Will publishers now be forced to give Google audio for free if they want to appear in search?
Where a company such as Google has incredible power, its approach is to take, not give back or share. That is hardly a role model for how business relationships should work.
One of the key ways forward for correcting the imbalances caused by the digital platforms’ market abuses is to create a playing field where they have to enter into meaningful commercial discussions with businesses.
These should be based around negotiating fair and equitable models at the start of conversations about business opportunities, not one-sided demands at the point of a monopoly’s gun.
For more of my thoughts on the impact of digital platforms on media and journalism, head to the full article on The Australian:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/opinion/googles-onesided-plan-is-bad-audio-news-for-all-of-us/news-story/34efd08822a5e468d2145e10c63a8f57
Publisher, Founder, Reporte Hispano, NJ's Hispanic newspaper & Web site & email newsletter, a Small Business. English & Spanish Journalism, fundraising, print & premium publisher digital advertising & translation sales.
5 年What Google suggests here is intellectual property theft. This is not permitted in any other industry.?
Director at Bunchrides - Changing lives through Cycling
5 年Compared to the old fashioned radio & TV, the latest platforms actually own the TV/Radio set and control which stations & artists are on the TV/radio set - we currently have 3 makers of these TV/radio sets - Google/Apple/Amazon and 2nd tier distributors including Facebook & Twitter + their is no Broadcasting Authority for content & advertising standards. They are publishers like any other traditional publishing company, once you 'publish' information into a feed or audio stream, you are a publisher. The early railways of the 20th Century were also masters of their own universe until being regulated.
Technology Leadership, Cloud Infrastructure Expert
6 年Have you thought about where the content will come from? Content creators can always control who receives and (re)uses their content. Look at Alexa and flash briefings as an example of how audio on demand can work well with radio.
Fixed Income and Financial Markets/ Exchange traded Futures and Options
6 年PR Firms push content with intent .......chance for them to represent the media "artists"?
Sales | Management | E-commerce
6 年The concerns that you express are indeed very real Michael . As a content creator, I feel a little angry, almost as though the power of uniqueness, expression and creatively has been taken from and applied incorrectly. It’s a very powerful article. From which I hope many readers would reflect and really internalize what is really happening behind the scenes. Thank you for sharing ????