News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller has proposed new regulations for tech giants, including potential bans from Australia if they violate proposed "social licence" laws. This stance has, however, brought attention to News Corp’s own actions, including its “bullying” of women.
Monopolies must "play by our rules"
Addressing the National Press Club yesterday, Miller stated that tech monopolies must adhere to Australian standards. He stated “it’s time for them to play by our rules”, and highlighted that platforms such as Meta, TikTok and X often operated beyond the reach of Australian law.
Miller proposes making tech companies financially accountable for the mental health issues exacerbated by their platforms. He urged for a federal mandate to hold these platforms liable for content they amplify, curate and control.
“The licence should require that each platform has an effective consumer complaint handling system, including call centres contactable by telephone with expert staff in Australia,” he added.
Miller highlighted the surge in mental health disorders among young Australians, linking it to social media addiction and condemned the platforms for profiting from harmful content, saying, “they monetise misery”.
Key measures suggested include:
- Implementing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) ex-ante competition framework to address monopolised digital advertising markets.
- Financial contributions from tech giants to support mental health initiatives.
- Mandatory compliance with the Media Bargaining Code to compensate publishers and media companies.
Miller also advocated for severe penalties, including criminal sanctions for executives and potential bans from operating in Australia. He pointed out that fines had been ineffective, citing more than 30 enforcement actions against Meta worldwide.
He urged the Australian Government to reassert control over global platforms, asserting that if social media giants chose to leave Australia, “it’s not the end of the world”.
Work “wasn’t intended to bully”
Miller’s appearance at the National Press Club also saw him defend allegations that News Corp was breaching its own “social licence”, as its reporting had “caused women to be bullied”.
Miller defended News Corp's coverage of prominent women, denying that the company’s reporting contributed to trolling and bullying, despite accusations that referenced cases involving Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Brittany Higgins and Antoinette Lattouf.
“The work wasn’t intended to bully. They raised issues. I’d actually stand by a lot of our journalism and the positive impact it has and the advocacy we undertake,” said Miller.
Miller faced a barrage of questions from journalists on topics, including the company’s extensive reporting on the ABC and its tax practices, where News Corp’s lack of tax payments in Australia, despite significant profits, was highlighted.
News Corp's fact-checking standards and the accuracy of its content were also called into question — particularly commentary made during the Voice referendum by the likes of Andrew Bolt.
Miller responded that he realised not everything News Corp produced was “liked by all, but that is part of what our democracy is, ensuring that various views are surfaced”.