The preferred method of advertising has shifted -- most advertisers spend their money online, rather than using traditional sources, like the print and broadcast media. After decades, of inaction, governments across the world are legislating to level the ground.

The European Union’s new copyright rules effectively allow publishers to charge a fee from online platforms that showcase their news articles. In November, Google had signed copyright agreements with six French newspapers and magazines. The Alphabet-owned company has also set aside over $1 billion over the next three years to pay news publishers for their content.

The Australian government has taken this a bit further. It has introduced a legislation --  called the News Media Bargaining Code -- in the Parliament on Wednesday, which seeks to make tech giants pay for the news content on their feeds, or risk paying hefty fines. What is the legislation all about? Here's all you need to know.