In a bold and controversial move, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced on Thursday that it will be removing news content from its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, for all users in Canada.
In a report by Reuters, Meta states, "Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act taking effect."
Meta Removes News Content; Google Says It's 'Unworkable'
The decision comes as a direct response to the passage of the Online News Act (Bill C-18) by the Canadian Parliament, which aims to address the declining advertising revenue faced by Canadian news organizations. With this move, Meta once again finds itself at the center of a heated debate surrounding media control and the power of tech giants.
Just a few weeks ago, Meta revealed that it was working on a software-based solution to comply with Bill C-18. However, as of now, those efforts remain ongoing and have only impacted a small percentage of Canadian users. Meta's decision enact a "news blackout" is a direct consequence of the new legislation, as the company is required to negotiate reimbursement plans with news outlets for hosting their stories on its platforms.
The Online News Act was proposed as a means to support struggling Canadian news organizations that have experienced a significant decline in advertising revenue over the past two decades. The act mandates that tech giants such as Meta and Google negotiate fair compensation agreements with news outlets for featuring their content on their respective platforms. The move aims to level the playing field and ensure that news organizations receive adequate financial support for their work.
Google, another major tech player affected by the legislation, perceives this move as "unworkable " and suggests that the Canadian government carefully look over and revise the bill to cover specifically the display of news content, rather than mere links.
The company has been testing a means of blocking news access in Canada since February but has not taken any definitive action. Google spokesperson Jenn Crider expressed the company's efforts to avoid an undesirable outcome and highlighted their willingness to work with the Canadian government to find a solution that satisfies all parties.
Related Article: Facebook May Ban News Sharing in Canada if Online News Act is Passed
Meta Wrestles Over Media Control?
Further, Prime Miner Justin Trudeau stated earlier this month that tech giants Google and Meta, seem to be employing "bullying tactics" to deter legislation.
Well, this is not the first time Meta has clashed with governments over compensation legislation. In 2021, the company removed news features from its platform in Australia after similar laws were passed. The decision had far-reaching consequences, affecting government agencies and nonprofit organizations that relied on Facebook for communication and information sharing. Eventually, Meta reversed its stance and reinstated news content in Australia.
Meanwhile, the recent action by Meta has sparked outrage among journalists, media organizations, and the public. Critics argue that the move gives Meta too much control over the distribution of news and raises concerns about the company's influence on public opinion.
Supporters of the Online News Act, on the other hand, see it as a necessary step to support struggling news outlets and ensure a sustainable future for journalism in Canada.
While Meta assures its users that no other aspects of the Facebook experience will be impacted, the absence of news content on its platforms will undoubtedly be felt by those who rely on social media as a primary source of information. As the situation unfolds, the actions of Meta and the response from other tech giants will continue to shape the future of news distribution and media regulation in Canada.
