Overview

• News Corp Australasia chairman Michael Miller used a Melbourne Press Club address to press the government to rule out a text-and-data-mining exemption.
• He argued AI companies are taking creators' work without permission or payment, describing the practice as a "big steal" and "Grand Theft Australia."
• Miller called for delivery of the News Media Assistance Program, activation of the news media bargaining measures, and a social licence for tech firms.
• He disputed tech industry claims that weakening copyright would unlock major data-centre investment in Australia.
• Pointing to PIJI data showing 161 news outlets closed in the five years to March 2023, he warned AI could gut journalism if it uses publishers' content without attribution or compensation.