Thread by @MelissaSweetDr

Starting now - ⁦@JosephEStiglitz⁩ re #RegulateDigitalPlatforms #PIJmatters HT ⁦@TheAusInstitute⁩ cc #jeraa2020 ⁦@JERAAus⁩

Also hearing from @anyaSIPA on #RegulateDigitalPlatforms, #PIJmatters - together with @JosephEStiglitz

Hearing from @anyaSIPA on the need to focus on solutions to the crisis in journalism business model. There's global interest in Australia's plans for a mandatory code requiring digital platforms to pay publishers. #regulatedigitalplatforms

As we know so well at @CroakeyNews, COVID has been really tough on journalism sustainability, at same time as demand for news & info has increased, @anyaSIPA tells webinar. We need huge structural shifts, need to get tech companies to pay for news, that will require regulation

A somewhat provocative question from @RDNS_TAI - isn't 'free news' a good thing?! Answer from @JosephEStiglitz raises the immense market power of the digital platforms, how monopolies stop innovation. ie the concerns raised in this recent US report: judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…

What you are doing in Australia (re the mandatory code for digital platforms to pay for news) is so important says @JosephEStiglitz - the world is watching #PIJmatters #regulatedigitalplatforms

Discussion about immense imbalance between the digital platforms in negotiations with media publishers. If News Corp thinks they are at a disadvantage, then what hope for the smaller publishers? #RegulateDigitalPlatforms #PIJmatters

For those following the @TheAusInstitute webinar on #RegulateDigitalPlatforms - at @CroakeyNews we've been arguing in our submissions to the process that the community and wider public interest is being sidelined from the process. #PIJmatters

There's a Q about why ABC & SBS should be included in the code. @anyaSIPA talks about the importance of public broadcasters. It's clear that societies with public broadcasters are often less polarised, have a shared basis of common knowledge & facts, she says. #PIJmatters

It's incredibly impt to include public broadcasters in the code, says @anyaSIPA She encourages us all to appreciate our public broadcasters. Facebook & Google have not done nearly enough to stop the spread of misinformation & disinformation #PIJmatters #RegulateDigitalPlatforms

Everyone would love to see the tech companies pay taxes, says @anyaSIPA They amass billions and give piddling small grants to a few small local media outlets and think that's acceptable - and it's not: @anyaSIPA tells webinar #RegulateDigitalPlatforms #PIJmatters

In the US, one of the levers [for change] is employees of these companies, who've been active in trying to encourage these companies to be socially responsible, says @JosephEStiglitz #RegulateDigitalPlatforms #PIJmatters

Are these companies too big to regulate (given the argument that they have more power than nation states) - question from @anyaSIPA. In reply @JosephEStiglitz says, yes they are big BUT there is a lot of public anger towards them in wake of COVID etc.

Is another option to nationalise the digital giants, or create a public alternative platform, suggests @JosephEStiglitz #RegulateDigitalPlatforms #PIJmatters

Good to now have a question on role of non profit journalism & new funding models. @anyaSIPA has written on this issue extensively. cc @MegBastard @mishaketch @DamianFThompson #PIJmatters #RegulateDigitalPlatforms cc #Jeraa2020

Philanthropists/grants impt for non profit sector, says @anyaSIPA Smaller startups have worked out how to make small amounts $. But is very hard to make a go of it, it's hand to mouth. [Yes, we hear you!] small outlets doing good job but not enough to meet info needs of societies

Comments by @JosephEStiglitz : Sustaining PIJ is not about building a business model, that's impossible in current environment. It's about sustaining its public interest roles. We pay from public purse for research for the public good....

He says, We may have to face the reality that like the production of basic research, the production of good information is essential for a well functioning democracy and we're going to have to pay for it.

It's a problem of imagination as well as power - ie we need to think of multiple options for #regulatedigitalplatforms #PIJmatters -- comments from @RDNS_TAI to wrap up @TheAusInstitute webinar, with more than 750 participants