Senate Judiciary Preps Latest Vote on Journalism Bill
A bill that would allow news outlets to negotiate with the tech industry for compensation when platforms like Google and Facebook host news content is back on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda. The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (see 2303310047)…
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was held over during a markup Thursday, meaning it could receive a vote as early as next week. The committee passed the bill 15-7 last Congress. A similar bill is advancing at the state level in California (see 2306060082). Ranking member Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., drew attention Thursday to reports Instagram’s algorithms are driving users to child sex abuse material. Graham suggested the committee should hold a hearing on the topic and find a way to hold platforms accountable, especially when they’re made aware of the harmful content on their platforms. Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he couldn’t agree more and he hopes recently passed online child safety legislation will advance to the Senate floor soon. House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said Wednesday he’s “appalled” by the reports: “Social media platforms have long been guilty of deliberately driving users to the most extreme, dangerous content possible for the sole purpose of getting more clicks to increase their ad dollars, but this latest example is beyond the pale.” Durbin again held over the Cooper Davis Act (S-1080) (see 2306010074) to allow further negotiation.