Google Joins $250 Million Deal to Support Newsrooms in California

Google, a trade group and lawmakers have reached an agreement to support newsrooms in California. The deal could provide up to $250 million over five years through funding from Google, taxpayers, and potentially other private sources. This agreement aims to avoid a proposed state bill that would require tech companies to pay news organizations for advertising alongside articles on their platforms. The initiative is praised for its efforts to stabilize the news industry, which has suffered from layoffs and closures due to the shift to online readership. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed support for the deal, highlighting its contribution to journalism and democracy.