Trudeau denounces Meta's news block as fires force evacuations

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blasted social media giant Meta on Monday over its decision to block local news as wildfires continue to force thousands of Canadians from their homes.

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Cat Tunney

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Justin Trudeau said that in a democracy quality local journalism matters, especially when people are worried about their homes, communities, and the extreme weather events experienced during 2023 summer.

Trudeau showed no signs of wavering in his support for the Online News Act, despite Meta's efforts to derail it.

Trudeau declared that, despite the emergency situation where up-to-date local information is essential, Facebook is prioritizing corporate profits over people's safety and quality local journalism.

Meta says it has activated a function called Safety Check that allows users to click a button to update their status and let their friends and family know they're safe from the wildfires.

Trudeau declared "It is so inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of ensuring that local news organizations can get up-to-date information to Canadians and reach them where Canadians spend a lot of their time — online, on social media, on Facebook."

Meta spokesperson, David Troya-Alvarez said "People in Canada are able to use Facebook and Instagram to connect to their communities and access reputable information, including content from official government agencies, emergency services and non-governmental organizations"

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2023

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Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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Facebook and Instagram's news blackout in Canada

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-meta-wildfires-news-1.6942458

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Cat Tunney

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Facebook and Instagram's news blackout in Canada

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