Meta threatens Australian again with a news ban

Meta, the social media powerhouse, is set to block news on its Australian platforms. A move in response if the government forces payment for news content. 

Meta's local policy boss, Mia Garlick, declared they were open to all options, including a news ban. 

This news comes as Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones decides which digital platforms must make commercial deals with media outlets or risk hefty fines. 

Garlick also indicated that if Meta must comply with the news media bargaining code, a news ban might be inevitable. Meta has previously adopted this strategy in Canada, permanently blocking news following the introduction of similar laws there. 

In response, Mr Jones maintained that the government would not be manipulated by multi-national companies. Mr Jones declared the government was following the news media bargaining code. 

Nine Entertainment intends to slash 200 jobs due to a weaker advertising market and the impending termination of its content deal with Meta. 

Meanwhile, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young expressed concern about tech giants exploiting news content and causing job losses. She was also worried about the impact on democracy. 

Hanson-Young argued that stronger laws were needed to regulate social media company tax and to mandate news and public interest information on their platforms. 

In 2021, Meta briefly banned news on its Australian platforms due to a potential regulation under the news media bargaining code. However, this led to the signing of three-year content deals with local news organisations that are set to end this year.

- CyberBeat