What are your opinions on the Google News vs Spanish Government Issue ?

[Tintanus]

Greg Sterling said: "Governments across Europe are justifiably alarmed by the declining fortunes of their respective newspaper industries. However punitive or parasitic taxation measures targeting Google, masquerading as copyright protections, are not the answer."

Do you agree?

[GPainter]

Psst if you are going to ask a question great idea to cite where from - http://searchengineland.com/spanish-newspapers-want-government-force-google-keep-news-spain-210860

[Tintanus]

I quoted the name of the man who said that parragraph, and I'm asking for your opinion, have you got one ?

Thanks for putting the link.

[Tintanus]

By the way I didn't ask the question because I read it on Searchengineland, I'm Spanish and I live in Spain and this affects me. I've read a couple more Spanish articles before that one. I just quoted it because I thought it summarized the whole thing in a good way.

[GPainter]

The reason i mention it's a good idea to post the article is because not everyone will know the author or its context and it gives them an opportunity to read and if they want comment with their opinion which is what you are asking for.

The comments in that thread are interesting there is also https://www.seroundtable.com/google-news-spain-down-19580.html

I find it amusing that it somewhat backfired in the Spanish government just like it did with Germany and now they are faced with doing far more harm than good.

The term "justifiably alarmed" is just the authors opinion and as far as i am aware i don't know of any governments alarmed, its an age where people want instant news and with no or little cost most of the time via smart phones its not hard to see why papers are going down hill. The main problem is many places that publish "news" are not professionals and normally don't cite sources etc. and can get in some very bad situations but i digress.

if you want to see a prediction check this out - http://searchengineland.com/avoid-liability-google-reduces-news-content-germany-headlines-204811

If the government want to throws toys out of the pram Google has no problems upping and leaving until they come to their sense in my opinion.

Lastly remember this doesn't come in until Jan 2015 so there is still time for change.

[Tintanus]

Thanks for the explanation and your answer !

[EGOL]

If the Spanish government is smart it will reverse or revise these rules.   If they don't reverse or revise their publishers will be starved of revenue and with that their quality must drop - if they don't go out of business.