‘This is what monopolies do’: Nine slams Google News Showcase launch

Nine has refused to participate in Google News Showcase, denouncing its launch as another sign the tech giant will not negotiate reasonably with media companies.

Google launched News Showcase on Friday, claiming the licensing program – through which mastheads are paid monthly fees for three years – is a better way to pay for news than the proposed News Media Bargaining Code. But Nine has vehemently disagreed.

“This is what monopolies do, they put an offer, in the form of Google Showcase, but not offer to negotiate,” a Nine spokesperson said.