Canada's News Access Under Fire: Facebook And Instagram Set To Restrict Information Flow

By -
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is set to impose restrictions on news access for Canadian users following the passage of a controversial online news bill by the country's parliament. This legislation compels major platforms, including Meta and Google, to compensate news publishers for content posted on their sites. In preparation for the bill, both Meta and Google had already been conducting tests to limit news availability to Canadian users.

This move by Meta echoes a similar incident in Australia last year when Facebook blocked its users from sharing or viewing news content in response to comparable legislation. Now, with Canada's Online News Act receiving approval from the Senate, platforms like Meta and Google will be required to engage in negotiations and financially compensate news organizations for their content.

Unsurprisingly, Meta has criticized the law, describing it as "fundamentally flawed legislation that ignores the realities of how our platforms work." The company announced that news access on Facebook and Instagram for all Canadian users will be discontinued even before the bill becomes effective, claiming that being forced to pay for links or content not posted by them is neither sustainable nor practical.


Meta, however, assured Canadian users that these changes will not impact their access to other services provided by the platform. Meanwhile, Google expressed its view that the current form of the bill is unworkable and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the government to find a viable solution.

The Canadian government defends the online news bill, citing the need to promote fairness in the country's digital news market and ensure that struggling news organizations receive fair compensation for their content and links shared on these platforms. An analysis conducted by an independent parliamentary budget watchdog estimates that digital platforms could contribute around C$329 million ($250 million; £196 million) annually to news businesses.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez expressed his dissatisfaction with the tests carried out by tech platforms, deeming them "unacceptable" and a "threat." While Facebook restored news content in Australia after negotiations with the government, Rodriguez's office confirmed that discussions with Google and Facebook would continue, but the implementation of the bill would proceed as planned. Rodriguez emphasized the government's commitment to protecting Canadians from tech giants, stating, "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?"

Media industry groups welcomed the passage of the bill, viewing it as a significant step toward achieving fairness in the market. Paul Deegan, President and CEO of News Media Canada, a media industry group, emphasized the importance of real journalism, created by real journalists, to democracy. He acknowledged that such journalism comes with costs, and the bill seeks to address this issue.

The Online News Act is expected to take effect in Canada within the next six months.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Characters In BBC’s Documentary On TB Joshua Unknown To Us – Synagogue Church

By -
Image
  The Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) has countered the BBC documentary on the late Temitope Babatunde Joshua, known as TB Joshua, founder of SCOAN. SCOAN described the documentary against TB Joshua as unfounded, and that the characters interviewed in the report were unknown to the church. The church, in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Dare Adejumo, said the statement was aimed at disabusing public minds from the report. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the BBC released a highly controversial and damning documentary on the late TB Joshua on Monday, accusing him of various crimes, including rape, against some members. SCOAN said, “BBC World Services investigative unit, code-named Africa Eye, came out this week with weird and strange episodes of atrocities against the late founder of SCOAN.” It said that to investigate and publish or broadcast reports was a central kernel of journalism, but to do so outside the ethics and fundamental principles
Read more

NBA Suspends Canada’s Joshua Primo For 4 Games For Exposing Himself To Women

By -
Image
  The NBA has suspended former San Antonio Spurs guard  Joshua Primo   for four games   ... after it says it found he exposed his private parts to multiple women. The league announced the ban on Friday morning ... saying an investigation into the free agent revealed he had "engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior." NBA officials called his actions "conduct detrimental to the league." They did, however, note that they "did not find evidence that he engaged in any sexual or other misconduct apart from these brief exposures." "Primo maintains that his conduct was not intentional," the league said. Dr. Hillary Cauthen , Primo's former therapist, was the first to  bring the allegations  against Primo to light after she claimed last fall that he exposed himself to her on nine separate occasions. Dr. Cauthen's attorney,  Tony Buzbee , alleged the Spurs were aware of Primo's actions, but didn't take action. Cauthen went on to file
Read more

Sky Sports' On-Air Mix-Up: Chelsea Players Mistakenly Introduced as Axel Disasi Instead of Noni Madueke in Carabao Cup Semifinal

By -
Image
 Sky Sports were left red-faced after an on-screen graphic mistakenly introduced Chelsea defender Axel Disasi as Noni Madueke on Tuesday night. The pair were both the scoresheet as the Blues thrashed Middlesbrough 6-1 at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to boo their place at Wembley. But when Disasi spoke to Sky Sports after the game, an on-screen graphic introduced him as Madueke instead. Madueke is four years younger than his Chelsea teammate, plays in a different role and is English, while Disasi is French. Viewers immediately spotted the mistake and took to social media to flag up the glaring error.  Sky Sports with a huge mistake as that is Axel Disasi, not Noni Madueke,' another added, while a third described the gaffe as a 'howler'. A fourth commented: 'Sky sports calling Disasi Madueke. They’ve done it again.' Disasi scored Chelsea's third goal in the 6-1 rout, converting Raheem Sterling's cross at the far post after th
Read more