Google to pay millions to South African news outlets: Watchdog

Core Points - Google will pay over $40 million to support South African news media, addressing challenges faced in the digital age [1][3] - The funding package includes $4 million for national publishers and broadcasters, $2.6 million annually for AI innovation, and $2.2 million for community and small media outlets over three years [3] - The agreement follows a 16-month investigation by the Competition Commission, which found that Google searches favored international news over local outlets [2][4] Funding Details - The total funding amount agreed upon is 688 million rand, equivalent to approximately $40.4 million [3] - Specific allocations include $4 million for content on Google News and $2.6 million annually for AI innovation [3] - Community and small media outlets will receive $2.2 million over three years to aid in digital transformation [3] Regulatory Context - The Competition Commission had previously recommended that Google pay up to $27 million annually for five years due to anti-trust practices affecting local media [2] - Similar funding arrangements have been established in other countries like Taiwan, Canada, Australia, and the United States amid regulatory pressures [5] - Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, did not reach a settlement and is required to make monetization programs available to local publishers [6]