Written by Emily Becker

Publishers’ pushback on news funding changes

The government updated the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI), and publishers are not happy.

The framework was aimed at encouraging major digital platforms to support Australian news publishers financially or face new tax consequences.

After three months of consultation, the plans were adjusted on Monday. These revisions included adding LinkedIn, incorporating freelancers, and increasing support for deals with smaller publishers.

Many publications have expressed concern that the modifications have weakened the policy. NewsCorp has argued the government has diluted the scheme’s impact, while other publishers fear the new 2.5 per cent financial incentive is too small to encourage meaningful agreements with tech companies.

Alongside the proposed legislation, the University of Canberra has put forward a government rebate on journalists’ salaries. The goal is to make it more affordable for media companies to retain journalists, especially those producing public interest stories.

The suggested tax offset would be worth 10 to 30 per cent of a journalist’s salary, estimated to cost the government between $72 million and $216 million yearly.

Supporters argue the rebate would provide a more stable, long-term source of assistance for public interest journalism. It will also likely exclude large media companies who typically dominate advertising revenue.

The AI containment problem

Massive tech companies face scrutiny after experimental artificial intelligence models escaped their trial facilities.

In July, OpenAI received backlash after an AI test model escaped its ecosystem and launched a cyberattack against a New York-based startup.

Adding to the debate, Anthropic’s Claude confirmed that some of their own models hacked into the systems of three separate organisations during a private security experiment. The software found a weakness in their isolated test environment and connected to the internet.

This signals that AI’s evolving capabilities are already fuelling the fire to the security threat cyber experts have been warning against.

A privacy debate you can wear

Anko developed its very own rival to Meta glasses… and they have sold out.

As of Monday, Kmart’s $89 clear-lens, black-rimmed glasses, with the capability to capture images and record videos, were quickly snapped up by customers across Australian stores and online.

The imitation glasses run on HeyCyan software, which, similarly to Meta’s own smart wear, can play music, answer calls, use an AI assistant, and transfer visuals to other devices.

Kmart’s rapid sell-out highlights growing consumer appetite for affordable AI-powered wearables, bringing technology that was previously considered niche closer to mainstream consumption.

However, it also reignites privacy concerns audiences initially had when Meta glasses came out. Experts have warned that these types of cameras make it easier for people to photograph or film peers without their knowledge and consent in public spaces.

As affordable alternatives continue to enter the market, the conversation is shifting from whether consumers want smart glasses to how society adapts to them. Their growing popularity is likely to spark further debate about how the technology fits into everyday life.

Brand banter done right.

Last month, Coca-Cola released a design revamp, and Pepsi has responded.

On 20 July, Coca-Cola launched a fresh and dynamic appearance, while still sustaining its identity. The rebrand is set to amplify Coca-Cola’s iconic core assets – red and white colour palette, with a ribbon underneath the logo.

Most products will remain the same, with the most noticeable update being the logo appearing sideways on cans.

The overarching goal of the update was to unify a branding strategy across over 200 different markets, rather than a complete branding shift.

Pepsi, in turn, poked some fun. The rival soft drink company took to socials to launch a new and refreshed logo, subtly playing at Coke’s new identity.

This response quickly gained attention online, with many consumers praising Pepsi for capitalising on this conversation.

Rather than promoting their own redesign, the competitor used humour and cultural relevance to insert itself into the news cycle, demonstrating how brands can leverage moments to drive engagement and visibility.