FRANCE – Several major French newspapers have decided to take legal action against social media giant X, accusing the platform of using their content without paying. The joint action on Tuesday includes Le Monde, Le Figaro, Les Echos, Le Parisien, Telerama, Courrier International, Huffington Post, Malesherbes Publications and Le Nouvel Obs. The media outlets said they were due payment under their ancillary rights, which under a European directive adopted into French law are due when social media platforms republish news content. They said X, formerly known as Twitter, has never agreed to open negotiations with French news publishers unlike Alphabet Inc’s Google and Meta Platforms Inc. They also said X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has not complied with an order issued by the Paris Court of Justice in May to release information required to calculate the amount owed.

“The revenue from these rights, with the investment that it would enable its beneficiaries to make, is a boost to the plurality, independence and quality of the media, which are essential for freedom of expression and the right to information in our democratic society,” the newspapers said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Paris tribunal confirmed the case and said a hearing was scheduled for May 15. (Al Jazeera)

Photo: Several news organisations accuse X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, of using their content without payment. (AFP)