Canadians will no longer have access to news content on Facebook and Instagram, Meta says

  • Article

Meta's decision to block news content in Canada is a significant development in the debate over how to regulate internet giants.

The news ban is likely to have a major impact on Canadian news publishers, who rely on social media platforms to reach a large audience.

The outcome of the negotiations between Meta and the Canadian government will be closely watched by other countries that are considering similar legislation.


Name

Canadians will no longer have access to news content on Facebook and Instagram, Meta says

Description

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced that it will block news content from its platforms in Canada before the Online News Act comes into force.

Types

Article

Authors

Jessica Mundie

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Claims from

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez declared that a free and independent press is fundamental to democracy.
Pablo Rodriguez said that the amount of money each publisher will receive from these digital giants will be decided through negotiations; that there was no predefined formula.
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez stated that Bill C-18 levels the playing field by putting the power of big tech in check and ensuring that even the smallest Canadian news business can benefit through this regime and receive fair compensation for their work.
Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-18 in April 2022 with the goal of forcing digital giants, such as Meta and Google, to compensate news publishers for the use of their content.
Meta made its announcement on Thursday (06/22/2023), the same day the bill received royal assent. The law will force tech giants like Meta and Google to pay news outlets for posting their journalism on their platforms.
It should take six months for Bill C-18 to come into force. Now that the bill has received royal assent, the Department of Canadian Heritage will draft regulations specifying the application of the act and provide guidance on implementing it.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "The fact that these internet giants would rather cut off Canadians' access to local news than pay their fair share is a real problem, and now they're resorting to bullying tactics to try and get their way. It's not going to work"
The federal government said that Bill C-18 is meant to address the "imbalance" between tech platforms and Canadian news publications, allowing them to make "fair commercial deals" without the need for government intervention.
Pablo Rodriguez said "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?"

Publish date

06

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22

Day
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2023

Year

17

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19

pm

Publisher

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Topics

Facebook and Instagram's news blackout in Canada

Web URL

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/online-news-act-meta-facebook-1.6885634

Referenced by

Pablo Rodriguez said "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?"

News

Claim

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez declared that a free and independent press is fundamental to democracy.

News

Claim

Pablo Rodriguez said that the amount of money each publisher will receive from these digital giants will be decided through negotiations; that there was no predefined formula.

News

Claim