22% Of Australian Music Online Media Sites Disappear In Last 12 Months

The state of Australia’s independent music media has continued its shocking decline following last year’s shutdown of news sites by Facebook which decimated reach to news outlets and prompted the government to introduce the news media bargaining code.

The government’s code saw millions of dollars shifting from the coffers of Google and Facebook to the bank accounts of big media companies like News Limited and Nine, effectively subsidising billion-dollar conglomerates, while leaving smaller and niche publications at an even bigger disadvantage than before. 

When Facebook’s action hit a year ago tomorrow, our sister publication Purple Sneakers went on a crusade to list all of Australia’s active music websites. This year they have updated the directory with 22% of sites now either deleted or dormant. 

Spokesperson for the Public Interest Publishers Association (of which this masthead is a member) and publisher of Star Observer and City Hub magazines Lawrence Gibbons said the government’s new regulations had left small publishers at the mercy of Google and Facebook and squeezed revenues even further away from the grassroots.

“So-called niche publishers in music have played a critical role in providing news to their community just as other communities across Australia rely on their voices being reflected by their media sources," Gibbons said. "So far, the two tech titans have refused to deal with a number of small and medium sized publishing businesses, making arbitrary decisions on what is or isn’t ‘real’ news. 

“In response PIPA has been formed to collectively bargain with Google and Facebook in the hope to reverse this inequity that the government’s legislation has created. We will not rest until the importance of small independent publishers is recognised and the government, Google and Facebook recognise what a rich, diverse media landscape means rather than simply handing money to the likes of Nine, News Limited and Seven.”

The group hope to create pressure on both the government and the tech companies to create a media code that better reflects the needs of the community. For music, reporting venue closures, COVID restrictions, cultural and workplace change and other key issues has been more important than ever. Artists who have been unable to tour have relied on these media outlets to tell their stories and to connect with audiences at just the time that the government and big tech decide to turn their backs. 

Purple Sneakers’ updated list of Australian music sites is published today. Visit the list here.