By Zainab Shafiq 
Agence France-Presse (AFP) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, alleging uncooperative behavior in negotiating payments for news content distribution. The lawsuit is based on a 2019 EU law mandating fair compensation discussions between online platforms and publishers. AFP advocates for press rights and wants fair payment for news sharing.
News organizations have long sought compensation from major platforms like X, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Google, given their challenges with declining ad revenues. Canada and Australia have already passed laws requiring platforms to pay news publishers for their content.
Elon Musk responded, criticizing news agencies’ demands for payment when platforms like X direct traffic to their sites, generating ad revenue without direct compensation.
This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between news publishers and social media platforms over fair payment for news content. The outcome could set precedents for similar cases worldwide and affect the relationship between publishers and tech giants.
The dispute also comes amid growing scrutiny of tech companies’ power, and governments seek to address concerns about misinformation and fair competition. As technology continues to shape media landscapes, finding a sustainable model that respects both news publishers’ rights and tech platforms’ interests remains crucial.