Australia's Seven West Media announces content partnership with Google

Australia's Seven West Media announces content partnership with Google
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Seven West Media has become Australia's first major news outlet to confirm a content-sharing deal with Google.

Australia is introducing landmark legislation to force Alphabet's Google and Facebook to pay publishers and broadcasters for content.

Google had previously called the idea "unworkable" and threatened to make its search function unavailable in Australia.

On Monday, Seven West Media, which owns 21 publications including The West Australian, 7NEWS, and PerthNow, announced they had entered into a letter of understanding to form a long-term partnership with Google.

They will now provide content for Google's News Share platform, which was launched in Australia in early February, Reuters reported.

Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes said in a statement that they had concluded negotiations "that result in fair payment and ensure our digital future".

"The negotiations with Google recognise the value of quality and original journalism throughout the country and, in particular, in regional areas," he said.

"I'd like to thank Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Rod Sims, with particular recognition of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has been instrumental in the outcome of this ground-breaking agreement."

Mel Silva, the managing director for Google Australia and New Zealand, said they "are proud to support original, trusted, and quality journalism".

Neither Google nor Seven West Media mentioned how much the deal was worth although there have been reports it was worth more than AU$30 million (NZ$32 million) a year.