Meta Platforms announced on Tuesday that it has taken steps to remove access to news on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, for all users in Canada. This action is in response to the Online News Act recently passed by the Canadian parliament, which requires internet giants like Meta and Google to enter into commercial agreements with Canadian news publishers for the use of their content.
Rachel Curran, Meta’s head of public policy in Canada, stated that while news outlets willingly share their content on Facebook and Instagram to reach wider audiences and boost their profits, the platforms are not primarily used for news consumption. On the other hand, the Canadian Heritage Minister, Pascale St-Onge, criticized Meta’s decision, calling it “irresponsible.” St-Onge expressed disappointment that Meta would rather prevent its users from accessing quality news instead of contributing their fair share to news organizations. She emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Canadians’ interests against tech giants.
Response from the Public and Google
The Canadian public broadcast, CBC, joined the criticism, referring to Meta’s move as an abuse of its market power. The Canadian government’s stance is reminiscent of Australia’s groundbreaking legislation in 2021. Google and Facebook had threatened to limit their services in response to the Australian law but eventually reached agreements with Australian media companies after amendments were made.
However, Google argues that the Canadian law is even broader in scope than the Australian and European laws. This is because it places a monetary value on news links displayed in search results and can potentially encompass outlets that do not produce news content.
A Shift in Access to News and its Consequences
The decision by Meta Platforms to restrict news content access in Canada raises concerns about the impact it will have on the exchange of information and access to diverse news sources. Critics argue that news plays a vital role in upholding democracy and supporting local journalism, and Meta’s move may limit these aspects.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously voiced his disagreement with the argument that news lacks economic value. He believes such a standpoint is not only flawed but also poses a threat to democracy and the economy.
As the situation unfolds, the world is closely watching Canada’s response to Meta’s action. The outcome will likely have far-reaching implications and may set precedents for other countries grappling with the issue of fair compensation for news providers in the digital age.
Leave a Reply