However, the act should only apply to those media companies that meet certain criteria in terms of journalistic ethics. I'm thinking, among others, of such things as presenting several opposing viewpoints on matters of public interest, verifying the validity and veracity of the information conveyed, and correcting information later determined to be false. Adherence to a code of journalistic ethics widely accepted by western media is a reliable indicator of a news outlet's professionalism. The act should finally treat public broadcasters the same way as private news companies.
Third, we believe it is necessary to prevent digital platforms from taking retaliatory action that could impede negotiations and arbitration.
Lastly, our brief contains some recommendations concerning the arbitration process and the powers of the independent auditor. In our view, these powers are absolutely essential in order to guarantee that the benefits of the bill will percolate directly into the newsroom, improving journalism as a whole.
This reinvesting of new money in journalistic work is essential if we want to ensure access to quality information over the long term. The powers of the auditor could even be expanded to include, for example, the ability to report on the effects of exemption orders on the Canadian digital news market.
The act should also apply to all of the companies that operate social media platforms or search engines that publish news content.
In conclusion, I'd like to emphasize that digital platforms have a moral obligation to return a portion of the profits generated by the work of other companies. In what system is the exploitation of another's property a right?
Furthermore, any decent corporate citizen that derives substantial profits from such a foundational element of democratic society as a professional press has a duty to reinvest a portion of those profits in the vitality of the journalistic organizations that generate those profits.
The extraordinary economic power and uneven balance of power brought about by the proliferation of information technologies should never take precedence over the greater national interest and regulatory sovereignty.
Thank you for your time.