A coalition of media organizations, represented by the News/Media Alliance, has called for a federal investigation into Google's recent actions regarding the removal of links to California news outlets from its search platform. 

This move by Google is seen as a response to the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), which would mandate tech companies to compensate news publishers for the use of their content.

The News/Media Alliance Calls for Investigation

The News/Media Alliance, formerly known as the Newspaper Association of America, represents more than 2,200 publishers. 

In a series of letters addressed to the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Attorney General, the coalition expresses concern that Google's actions may constitute coercion or retaliation driven by its opposition to the pending legislative measure in Sacramento.

The coalition's statement highlights Google's unprecedented decision to block or impede access to California news websites for some state residents, describing it as a form of retaliation against the CJPA. 

The Alliance emphasizes the need to investigate potential violations of multiple laws, including the Lanham Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Furthermore, the coalition's letters to the DOJ, FTC, and California Attorney General raise concerns about possible violations of state and federal laws, such as the Unruh Civil Rights Act, prohibitions against false advertising and misrepresentation, the California Consumer Privacy Act, and California's Unfair Competition Law. 

The coalition urges these agencies to investigate Google's actions thoroughly to ensure compliance with existing regulations.

Danielle Coffey, President & CEO of the News/Media Alliance, criticizes Google for wielding excessive power over access to information. She argues that no single company should have the authority to control information to the detriment of society.

"No one company should be permitted to control information so singularly that it can make decisions to the detriment of society, as Google has done in California. We call on government agencies to take action to address the various ways this activity could violate existing antitrust and other relevant laws," Coffey said in an official statement. 

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Google's Response

In response to the coalition's concerns, Google's VP of Global News Partnerships, Jaffer Zaidi, defended the company's stance in a blog post. 

Zaidi argued that the CJPA is not the right approach to supporting journalism and could disadvantage small publishers while limiting consumers' access to diverse local media. He characterized Google's link removal as a short-term test to assess the potential impact of the legislation on its platform.

Google's blog post emphasized the need for clarity on California's regulatory environment before making further investments in the state's news ecosystem.

The company announced a pause on new partnerships through Google News Showcase and planned expansions of the Google News Initiative until there is greater clarity on the legislative front. 

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