Meta Adjusts News Availability in Canada Due to Online News Act
- damiadeniyi
- August 2, 2023
- News, Science & Technology
- 0 Comments
In compliance with the Online News Act, social media giant Meta has initiated the process of discontinuing news access in Canada. These changes, commencing on August 1, will be gradually applied to all users of Facebook and Instagram in Canada over the next few weeks.
This development has reverberated throughout the Canadian media landscape. Meta’s decision to halt news availability on its platforms within Canada is a response to the Online News Act (Bill C-18), signifying a significant transformation in the distribution and consumption of news content on social media.
The press release detailing this move unveiled Meta’s strategy to progressively phase out news content accessibility for Canadian users of Facebook and Instagram. The announcement drew varied reactions, with some interpreting it as a strategic business maneuver while others perceived it as a reaction to the mounting legislative pressures from the Canadian government.
The Online News Act had been designed to compel tech giants like Meta to establish payment agreements with news publishers for utilizing their content. The law aimed to bolster journalism in the wake of the substantial influence of digital advertising behemoths.
However, Meta articulated a distinct viewpoint. The company contended that the Online News Act rested on a flawed premise, asserting that it unfairly benefited from shared news content. They highlighted that news outlets willingly shared their content to enhance their audience engagement and financial prospects. Meta underscored its platforms’ primary purpose—connecting individuals with friends and family—rather than being oriented toward news consumption.
As Meta’s discourse with the Canadian government unfolded, the company steadfastly committed to complying with the Online News Act by ceasing news availability. Meta embarked on randomized tests to restrict user access to news content, provoking scrutiny from both domestic and international news sources.
Throughout the testing phase, Meta collaborated with digital literacy expert Nellie Brière, aiming to offer alternate avenues for Canadian news consumption, such as accessing news publishers’ websites and mobile news applications.
Despite the ensuing debate, Meta remained resolute in its decision. The company justified its stance by emphasizing the necessity to align with their principles and cater to the broader media landscape’s interests. They reiterated their dedication to supporting a diverse news ecosystem and acknowledged the significant value they provided to news outlets through their platforms.
