The news industry is worried Facebook and Google have far too much power
The news industry has never been more dependent on tech companies and the massive distribution platforms they operate on the internet, leading to a long-standing and ongoing existential crisis in journalism. This isn’t exactly a secret — nearly half of all American adults rely on Facebook as a primary news delivery mechanism, and both the social network and Google collectively control more than two-thirds of the entire online advertising market. But it’s something that has publishers so worried that they’re now deciding to band together to do something about it.
Ultimately, news organizations are making an audacious ask of the government to help protect the journalism business from the dominance of Facebook and Google, companies that Chavern says have only gained such monumental influence in news by skirting antitrust regulations and acquiring big competitors. (Google gained influence in the ad market by acquiring Doubleclick and others, while Facebook did so in the social realm through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55645863/75450094.0.jpg)
