California's $242.5M Deal with Google Sparks Debate Over Journalism Funding
Critics argue the agreement favors tech giants while sidelining journalists' interests and labor rights.
- Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks brokered the deal to support local news and an AI accelerator project.
- The agreement replaces Assembly Bill 886, which would have mandated ongoing payments from Big Tech to news publishers.
- Journalists and labor unions criticize the deal as insufficient and exclusionary.
- $180 million will support California newsrooms, with $70 million allocated for AI development.
- Concerns persist over AI's potential to replace journalism jobs and the lack of direct input from journalists in negotiations.
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