WorldWatch 29 January 2021

 In Australia, there is a proposed media bargaining code to require search engines to pay certain news companies to link to their news. It has to be wondered what the public policy objective is in the proposal which would seemingly break the logic underpinning search engines. Usually companies pay for advertising, not the the other way around; yet this proposal would require the advertising company (the search engine) to pay the companies it is "advertising".  The Australian government needs to come clean with the Australian people and clearly articulate the public policy purpose for this change. Otherwise, the people have a a right to think that maybe it is the Australian Government getting further into bed with Murdoch's news conglomerate. Google has today, in Australia, made the first item of any search "Google Search is in the news" arguing that they are willing to pay to support journalism, just not the way the Australian Government wishes for it to do. (Google's take , Kevin Rudd's take)

The contempt trial relating to the George Pell trial media coverage continues today in Victoria. Additionally, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has reportedly been referred the matter of betting in the Australia of the Year Awards and the breaching of the media embago placed on the release of names prior to the official announcement. [SMH]

China is reportedly threatening Taiwan. China has never accepted the independence of Taiwan and has, in the past, applied diplomatic pressure to try to prevent other countries from recognising Taiwan. In recent days, China has stepped up military action in Taiwanese airspace. 7 News is reporting that China has stated that 'Taiwan independence means war'. According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), there are only 15 states which currently recognise Taiwan and therefore do not have official relations with China: Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland and Tuvalu.

Meanwhile, Biden continues to sign more Executive Orders and is seeking to remove oil subsidies. Attacking fossil fuels such as oil and coal before a reliable substitute is implemented will lead to the state of affairs forseen in George Orwell's 1984 with an unreliable energy grid. 

Germany recommends against giving the AstraZeneca virus to over 65s [SMH]

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