SANEF Urges Competition Commission to Hold Big Tech Accountable for Media Content Compensation

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) made a compelling plea on Monday during the commencement of the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) in Pretoria, initiated by the Competition Commission of South Africa. Led by chairperson Sbu Ngalwa, founding member Guy Berger, and legal representative Michael Power, SANEF called upon the Commission to take decisive action in ensuring fair compensation for South African media content utilized by Big Tech platforms.

The submissions at the inquiry also featured presentations from Chris Mcinga and Izak Minnaar, representing community media and the Press Council of SA respectively. However, an unfortunate setback was highlighted as “X” (formerly Twitter) declined to participate in the proceedings—a move lamented by Glenda Daniels, SANEF’s secretary-general, citing widespread misogyny and harassment of women journalists on the platform.

SANEF’s submission emphasized several key points:

• Public Good and Human Rightsa: SANEF underscored the provision of access to credible news as a fundamental human rights issue, advocating for its consideration beyond mere commercial competition.
• Fair Compensation: The forum stressed the importance of fair compensation for news content used by platforms, emphasizing that compensation should reflect the value derived by platforms from such content, particularly when in the public interest.
• Credible News Prioritization: SANEF called for prioritizing credible news on platforms, urging subscription to independent self-regulatory bodies and ethical codes as a means to combat misinformation and disinformation.
• Transparency and Data Sharing: The forum advocated for transparency in algorithms and data sharing related to news content and advertising on platforms. Access to data for publishers to promote and monetize their content was also highlighted as crucial.

SANEF’s impassioned plea comes at a critical juncture when the role of Big Tech in shaping media landscapes and disseminating information is under heightened scrutiny. As the MDPMI unfolds, SANEF remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for fair compensation, accountability, and transparency in the digital media sphere, striving to uphold the integrity and vitality of journalism in South Africa.

Credit: This article was originally published by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)