Oregon’s Bold Move to Support Local Journalism
A groundbreaking bill in Oregon is pushing for major changes to how big tech companies like Google and Facebook operate with regard to local news content. Senate Bill 686, introduced by Senator Khanh Pham, seeks to require tech companies to pay Oregon’s newsrooms for the local journalism they distribute on their platforms. The bill has recently advanced to the Oregon Senate floor despite significant opposition from Republicans and concerns over its potential legal ramifications.
The proposed legislation could generate at least $122 million annually, which would be distributed to news organizations based on the number of journalists they employ. The funds would help newsrooms continue producing vital local coverage and fund a grant program administered by the University of Oregon, aimed at supporting journalism across the state. Proponents argue that such a measure is essential to reviving local news outlets, which have seen a significant decline in staff and resources in recent years.
A Divisive Proposal
While many lawmakers and journalism leaders support the bill as a lifeline for local news, the proposal has sparked strong opposition from big tech companies and some Republican lawmakers. Critics argue that the bill could lead to major disruptions, including tech companies pulling local news content from their platforms altogether, as was seen in Canada.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has already indicated that it may block news content in Oregon if the bill becomes law. The company issued a statement following the bill’s advancement, warning that such legislation would force them to make the same business decisions they made in Canada—where a similar law caused Meta to stop providing news links, leading to a backlash among local publications.
“‘If faced with legislation that requires us to pay for news content that publishers voluntarily post… we will be forced to make the same business decision in Oregon as we did in Canada,’” a Meta spokesperson said.
Legal Concerns and Constitutional Challenges
The bill has also raised legal concerns, particularly around potential violations of constitutional rights related to private property. During a work session in the Senate, Christopher Allnatt, an attorney from the Office of Legislative Counsel, stated that the bill “likely” violates certain federal and state constitutional provisions.
Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, voiced his objections, arguing that the bill could lead to expensive legal challenges that taxpayers would have to fund. “I am no constitutional scholar, but I’ve read the document and I’ve read our oath of office. And I don’t see how we could put this forward with the explanation that we’ll let the courts decide,” Bonham said.
Despite these challenges, Democrats on the Senate Committee on Rules have remained steadfast in their support, arguing that the potential legal battles are worth it to address what they see as the predatory practices of big tech companies.
A Response to the Decline of Local Journalism
Supporters of the bill, including lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, believe that the measure is long overdue. “There’s been awareness for this problem for a long time,” Golden said. “We’ve watched a lot of local journalism disappear without knowing what to do about it.” The legislation represents an attempt to redress this growing crisis by ensuring that tech giants contribute to the survival of local newsrooms, which have struggled with shrinking revenue and reduced staff.
Advocates also argue that big tech companies, which profit from the content created by journalists, should share a portion of those profits with the creators. Golden stressed that the bill is meant to address the broader issue of how tech giants extract wealth from local media without fairly compensating the people producing the content.
Similar Efforts Abroad and the Impact on Local News
Oregon is not alone in trying to force tech companies to pay for news content. Similar efforts have taken place in California and Canada, with mixed results. In Canada, the implementation of a similar policy has seen positive outcomes for local news outlets, with over $22 million in payments distributed to 108 news businesses within the first payment cycle.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, has also voiced her support for similar measures, calling them “crucial as outlets struggle to stay afloat.” She pointed to Canada’s success as evidence that these policies can help struggling newsrooms, underscoring the importance of such measures for local journalism in the United States.
Looking Ahead: Will Oregon Lead the Way?
As Senate Bill 686 continues its journey through Oregon’s legislative process, it remains to be seen whether it will withstand the legal and political challenges it faces. What is clear, however, is that the bill represents a bold attempt to address the decline of local journalism—a vital institution in a healthy democracy.
If passed, Oregon could once again set a precedent for the nation, pushing for a new model where big tech companies are held accountable for the content they profit from. Whether this bill becomes law or faces a lengthy court battle, it is undoubtedly part of an ongoing conversation about the future of news in the digital age.
