Google News VP Shailesh Prakash Resigns Amid Publisher Tensions

Shailesh Prakash, a key executive at Google News, has resigned after a two-year tenure marked by escalating tensions between the tech giant and news publishers. Prakash, who served as Google News' vice president and general manager, left during a critical period as publishers increasingly challenge Google’s impact on advertising revenue.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Prakash’s departure, with sources confirming that he is no longer with Google. The reasons behind his resignation are currently unclear, and Google has declined to comment.

A Background in Digital Transformation

Prakash joined Google in November 2022, bringing valuable experience from his 11 years as chief product and technology officer at the Washington Post. During his tenure at the Post, Prakash played a key role in the newspaper’s digital transformation and spearheaded the creation of its in-house ad technology. He worked closely with Jeff Bezos after the Amazon founder acquired the newspaper in 2013, helping the Post adapt to digital challenges and improve profitability.

His move to Google News was seen as a strategic hire aimed at bridging gaps between Google and publishers, but Prakash’s exit now leaves open questions about the future direction of the division.

Tensions Rise as Publishers Demand Fair Revenue

Google has faced increasing scrutiny over its treatment of news publishers, who depend on Google-driven traffic to support advertising revenue. In May, Google stirred further controversy by introducing “AI Overviews”—auto-generated summaries at the top of search results, which some publishers argue redirect clicks away from their websites.

The News Media Alliance, a nonprofit representing over 2,200 publishers, criticized this feature, warning that it could be “catastrophic” for publisher traffic and urging federal intervention. Many publishers also allege that Google’s AI models were trained on copyrighted news content without adequate credit or compensation.

Antitrust Pressure Mounts on Google

Google is also facing legal challenges on multiple fronts. The Justice Department has a major antitrust lawsuit targeting Google’s digital advertising business, accusing the company of monopolistic practices that allegedly siphon revenue from both publishers and advertisers. Closing arguments in the case are set for Nov. 25, with a final ruling expected early next year.

Meanwhile, a separate ruling in August determined that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search, with Judge Amit Mehta scheduled to rule on possible remedies by summer 2025. As part of the case, the DOJ has expressed concerns that AI developments could entrench Google’s dominance further unless regulatory measures are implemented.

What This Means

Prakash’s resignation comes at a pivotal time for Google’s relationship with news publishers and its efforts to address AI-driven disruptions. With unresolved questions surrounding AI, revenue sharing, and fair content attribution, Google may face increased pressure from regulators and publishers alike. Prakash’s departure highlights the difficulty of managing these challenges, and Google’s next steps will be closely watched as it navigates this complex landscape.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.