Google is testing AI-powered article overviews on select publications’ Google News pages https://t.co/qqE1JyVyqd ...

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]

With Google's new "Preferred Sources" feature, you can put the content you rely on at the top of your feed.Add us as a Preferred Source to see more of our in-depth reporting appear more often in your Google News and Top Stories. Here's how: https://t.co/4HqTJ6QWF0 https://t.co/msBZB7afEV ...

Core Viewpoint - Google is shifting its focus from prioritizing factual accuracy to emphasizing "free expression," as evidenced by its new policy allowing previously banned accounts to apply for reinstatement [1][4][30] Group 1: Policy Changes - YouTube will allow accounts previously banned for spreading misinformation related to Covid-19 and the 2020 U.S. election to apply for reinstatement, effectively rolling back a policy that imposed lifetime bans [2][26] - The new reinstatement policy comes amid significant regulatory pressure and follows a trend of changing speech policies, similar to actions taken by Meta [3][4] - In June 2023, Google announced it would stop removing false claims of widespread election fraud, aiming to balance community protection with open discussion [18][19] Group 2: Historical Context - Google has historically emphasized the importance of accurate information, ramping up fact-checking operations ahead of the 2016 U.S. elections and expanding these efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic [7][11] - The company introduced a "Fact Check" tag in Google News in 2016 and expanded it globally in 2017, showcasing results from verified fact-checking organizations [8][9] - Despite these efforts, misinformation has continued to spread on its platforms, leading to criticism and the need for policy adjustments [14][15] Group 3: Regulatory and Legal Challenges - Alphabet is facing heavy regulatory scrutiny, having lost antitrust cases related to its dominance in online search and advertising [4] - The company is also involved in legal discussions with Trump lawyers following lawsuits related to the suspension of Trump's social media accounts after the January 6 Capitol riot [4][30] - In a recent letter, Alphabet's counsel indicated that the Biden administration attempted to influence content moderation decisions, which the company opposed on First Amendment grounds [30]

With Google's new "Preferred Sources" feature, you can put the content you rely on at the top of your feed.Add us as a Preferred Source to see more of our in-depth reporting appear more often in your Google News and Top Stories. Here's how: https://t.co/iMnZqGijUE https://t.co/mV2hFFMwiX ...

With Google's new "Preferred Sources" feature, you can put the content you rely on at the top of your feed.Add us as a Preferred Source to see more of our in-depth reporting appear more often in your Google News and Top Stories. Here's how: https://t.co/TbRvBqiwrT https://t.co/OVepzuzsUr ...