Google signs agreements with Irish publishers, including Westmeath Independent
Google announced today that it has signed agreements with seven Irish news partners including Celtic Media, The Irish Times, Iconic Media Group and The Journal, as part of a new initiative to support Irish media.
Google will license high-quality news content from these publishers for News Showcase, its new product experience and licensing programme for news.
The seven publishers currently taking part represent almost 40 publications and a mix of local, regional and national news organisations from across Ireland.
Google plans to roll out News Showcase to readers in Ireland in the coming months.
Google News Showcase supports news publishers by giving them a new way to curate their high-quality content on Google’s News and Discover platforms, connecting their readers with the news that matters to them and a deeper storytelling experience. It is supported by Google’s $1 billion global investment in news.
“As one of the leading local news publishers in Ireland, Celtic Media Group welcomes the opportunity to be a launch partner for Google News Showcase,” said Frank Mulrennan, CEO of Celtic Media Group.
“We see it as a real opportunity to further build our audience through the enhanced profile of the panels, which then drive readers back to our publisher sites for the fuller story.
“We have been impressed by the News Showcase induction programme and the ease of panel compilation for our journalists.”
Nearly 1,000 news publications globally have signed deals for News Showcase since last year, in countries including India, Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Australia, Czechia, Japan, Colombia, the U.K, Austria and Argentina, with discussions underway in a number of other countries.
In a statement, Google said it is committed to supporting a sustainable news model for publishers across the globe and in Ireland, and looks forward to working collaboratively with the publishers to help further connect their news stories and content to their readership, while also expanding on our mission to help people access trustworthy information online and to support an open web for all.”
The full list of publications currently participating in Google News Showcase includes Donegal Daily, Clare Echo, The Journal, Noteworthy, IrishMirror.ie, DublinLive, RSVP Live, Cork Beo, Buzz.ie, The Limerick Leader, Kildare Now, Derry Now, Offaly Express, Donegal Live, Dundalk Democrat, Longford Leader, Tipperary Live, Leinster Express, Carlow Live, Kilkenny People, Leinster Leader, Leitrim Observer, Waterford Live, Connacht Telegraph, Meath Chronicle, Anglo Celt, Westmeath Examiner, Westmeath Independent, Offaly Independent, Irish Times, Breaking News, Echo Live, Irish Examiner, Carlow Nationalist, Laois Nationalist, Waterford News and Star, Kildare Nationalist, Roscommon Herald, Western People.