Jubilee Post News & Views
Jubilee News Desk
The social media platform Facebook has blocked Australian users from sharing or viewing news content. This is in response to a proposed law which would make tech giants pay for news content on their platforms.
Several government health and emergency pages were also blocked which was later rectified by the Facebook. Those outside of the country are also unable to read or access any Australian news publications on the platform.
The Australian government has strongly criticised the move, saying it demonstrated the “immense market power of these digital social giants”.
Google and Facebook have fought the law because they say it doesn’t reflect how the internet works, and unfairly “penalises” their platforms. However, in contrast to Facebook, Google has in recent days signed payment deals with three major Australian media outlets.
Australian authorities had drawn up the laws to “level the playing field” between the tech giants and struggling publishers over profits. But Facebook said the law left it “facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia”.
Under the ban, Australian publishers are also restricted from sharing or posting any links on their Facebook pages. The national broadcaster, the ABC, and newspapers like The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian have millions of followers.
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Facebook’s change also denied Australians access to many key government agencies, including police and emergency services, health departments and the Bureau of Meteorology.
