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South Africa’s Competition Commission has levied pressure on global tech giants, including Google, Meta, X, and TikTok, accusing them of anti-competitive practices that are crippling the nation’s local media industry.
The commission has issued findings from a 16-month investigation, demanding sweeping changes and substantial financial compensation.
Central to the commission’s findings is the assertion that these digital platforms are hindering the ability of South African news media to effectively secure and monetize online traffic.
By Vongai Masuka
Google has been directed to pay regional media companies up to 500 million rand ($27 million) annually for five years, a move aimed at addressing the perceived imbalance in revenue distribution.
Beyond financial demands, the commission is pushing for broader reforms across multiple platforms.
This includes calls for Meta, X, YouTube, and ByteDance’s TikTok to reduce preferential treatment of foreign media outlets and to actively support vernacular and community media within South Africa.
“There are market features on digital platforms that distribute news-media content that impede, distort, or restrict competition,” the commission stated in its report, emphasizing the need for regulatory intervention to level the playing field.
The Competition Commission’s actions signal a growing trend of nations scrutinizing the influence of large tech companies on local economies and media ecosystems.
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