Head of Journalism Department, Faculty of Communication, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that the Google search engine should make copyright payments for the news it shares in Turkey, just as it does in countries like Australia, Canada, France, and Germany, and thereby support independent and original journalism.
“Google can support independent and original journalism”
Head of Journalism Department, Faculty of Communication, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan made an evaluation regarding the copyright implementation for news that the Google search engine has put into practice in various countries.
Google shares news produced by journalists for free
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated the following: “As the most popular search engine, Google, which acts as the world's largest media, has been sharing news produced by journalists worldwide without any payment since its establishment in 1998, thereby adding to its revenues. According to a report by Anadolu Agency on February 2, 2022, Google generated 257 billion dollars in revenue in 2021.
Turkey should also compel Google for copyright payments
It is a positive development that countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, and France have reached agreements with Google, compelling this search engine to pay for the content it shares. It would be appropriate for Turkey to also compel Google, and even other search engines and social media platforms, to make copyright payments.
It should encourage original journalism and support independent journalism
However, regulations on this matter should be designed to encourage original journalism and support independent journalism. Just as the Press Advertisement Agency (Basın İlan Kurumu) supports local newspapers with official announcements and advertisements, Google can also provide support for original journalism through its copyright payments. As a journalism academic, I support efforts in this direction.”