Big online platforms could be forced to pay a fair price for local news.

The Government is drawing up legislation to make companies like Google and Meta pay local news producers for their content.

They're encouraged to strike their own voluntary deals, as NZME - owner of Newstalk ZB and the Herald - already has.

If no agreement is found, the Government will set bargaining terms.

Gorilla Technology Chief Executive Paul Spain told Tim Dower local media are being ripped off in the current environment.

“The likes of Google and Meta are taking their content and are monetising it without too much of that money heading back.”

LISTEN ABOVE