OTTAWA (Reuters) – The Canadian government has called on Meta to lift its ban on domestic news on its platforms in order to allow people in the west of the country to share information about wildfires. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, implemented the ban in response to a new law requiring internet giants to pay for news articles.
Complaints have been made by individuals fleeing wildfires in the remote northern town of Yellowknife, who have been unable to share important data about the fires due to the ban. Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge criticized Meta for its “reckless choice” to block news, stating that it is hindering access to vital information on Facebook and Instagram. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez also expressed concern about the ban, noting that it prevents people from accessing crucial information.
Legislator Chris Bittle of the ruling Liberal Party condemned Meta’s actions, calling them “reckless and irresponsible.” Ollie Williams, who operates Yellowknife’s Cabin Radio digital radio station, explained that individuals have resorted to posting screenshots of information since they cannot share links to news feeds on Facebook.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Meta stated that the company has activated the “Safety Check” feature on Facebook, allowing users to notify others that they are safe during natural disasters or crises. The spokesperson also emphasized that Canadians can still access content from official government agencies, emergency services, and non-governmental organizations on Facebook and Instagram.
Meta argues that users do not utilize its platforms for news consumption and contends that being required to pay for shared content is unsustainable for its business. The Canadian government, however, maintains that news sharing should be reinstated for the sake of the safety of Canadians facing emergencies. Heritage Minister St-Onge declared, “We need more news right now, not less.”
Canada’s new law mandating payment for news articles by internet giants has prompted Meta’s ban on news sharing. The ongoing dispute highlights the tension between governments seeking to regulate internet companies and tech giants resisting such measures.
Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Josie Kao
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
