Google’s vice-president, product management, news, Brad Bender, made the announcement from the US on Thursday night (SA time).

“Today, we are announcing a licensing program to pay publishers for high-quality content for a new news experience launching later this year,” he said.

“This program will help participating publishers monetize their content through an enhanced storytelling experience that lets people go deeper into more complex stories, stay informed and be exposed to a world of different issues and interests.”

He said the program would begin with publishers including Solstice Media, the South Australian publisher of InDaily, Schwartz Media, Private Media and The Conversation in Australia, Germany’s SPIEGEL Group and Brazilian regional media company Diarios Associados, with more to come soon.

“We have been actively working with our publisher partners on this new product which will launch first on Google News and Discover. We are currently engaged in discussions with many more partners and plan to sign more in the coming months,” he said.

“A vibrant news industry matters—perhaps now more than ever, as people look for information they can count on in the midst of a global pandemic and growing concerns about racial injustice around the world.

“But these events are happening at a time when the news industry is also being challenged financially. We care deeply about providing access to information and supporting the publishers who report on these important topics.”

Solstice Media’s managing director, Paul Hamra, said the company was motivated to participate by the potential to grow the audience for important local content.

“It is a win for local news and a win for South Australia,” he said.

“With local news under stress, finding new channels and new audiences for our premium content, in safe and curated environments, is a high priority.

“This opportunity will give us access to new markets and provide additional commercial benefits.”