Facebook parent Meta Platforms implemented its plan to end all news availability from its social media platforms in Canada.
Meta initiated the termination of posting news on its platforms after the Canadian government passed a bill called the Online News Act or Bill C-18 during the month of June. The law states tech giants including Google and Meta provide remuneration to media houses for the news posted and reshared on their platforms, boosting social media user growth.
Bill C-18 is modeled on a similar law in Australia, the country that first required digital companies to pay for the use of news content, according to CBC News.
Renowned news firms including Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC), Canadian Television Network (CTV), and City News have recently posted on their social media handles stating that, going forward, all news will not be posted on their social media handles.
Meta’s act of blocking news is bound to happen across Canada, especially after it ran a trial in some parts of the country before the new bill was passed.
Hence, Canadians will not be viewing or posting news content on Facebook or Instagram, but the content can be accessed on their publishing websites. These changes on Meta’s platforms are expected to take effect in the next few weeks.
Furthermore, Meta hopes the Canadian government will recognize the value provided by social media platforms for the news industry, stated Rachel Curran, Meta’s head of public policy, as reported by CBC News.
