Meta Pulls Plug on News in EU, UK, and Canada as New Laws Require Paying for Content
Facebook: The Unreliable News Distributor
Facebook, or rather its parent company Meta, has been making waves in the news industry recently. First, it got into a tussle with the Australian government over news payments. Then it quietly removed its revenue-sharing News tab in the US. And now, it has imposed a complete news link ban in Canada. But the drama doesn't end there. Meta is now killing off the News tab in France, Germany, and the UK, and ending funding for a local news project.
This change in policy comes ahead of impending legislation in the European Union and the UK that may require Facebook to pay for the news it shares. Meta's unwillingness to pay for news content is at the core of all these changes. While news makes up just a small percentage of content viewed on Facebook, it plays a crucial role in keeping users engaged on the platform. However, news media have been hit hard by the shift to online platforms, losing out to the advertising dominance of Google and Facebook.
Over the years, Meta has tried various strategies to financially support news organizations, but nothing has been successful. Now, it seems that Meta is giving up on paying for news altogether. This decision has faced criticism, especially from smaller publishers who rely on Facebook for referral traffic and engagement. The company's flip-flopping approach to news has highlighted the fragility of the relationship between traditional media and tech giants like Facebook.
But what does this mean for users? Well, the News tab, which most users may not even be aware of, will be removed from the Facebook app in Europe. This may not make a significant difference for users, but it does mean the end of payments to news media. Instead, Facebook will shift its focus back to video content.
In conclusion, Meta's decision to abandon news comes at a time when legislators are demanding that Facebook pays for news. The company's resistance to legislation, as seen in Australia and Canada, raises questions about its commitment to supporting news organizations. As news media look for alternative ways to reach their audiences, the future of journalism and its relationship with social media platforms remains uncertain.
