HEADLINES & GLOBAL NEWS
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Feb 18, 2021 07:58 AM EST
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg slammed Facebook s decision to remove Australian news from the social media network. Frydenberg revealed that the tech giant overlooked Australia.
Australia: Facebook news ban is wrong
(Photo : Sam Mooy/Getty Images)
VARIOUS CITIES, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg during a press conference in the Blue Room at Parliament House on February 18, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. Facebook has banned publishers and users in Australia from posting and sharing news content as the Australian government prepares to pass laws that will require social media companies to pay news publishers for sharing or using content on their platforms.
IFJ 18 February 2021
Australia: Facebook bans access to news content
Social media giant Facebook has restricted all Australian news media organisations from posting content to the platform from February 18, blocking all users domestically and internationally from viewing or sharing Australian-produced news. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Australian affiliate the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) in condemning a move that gravely undermines press freedom in the country Facebook has restricted all Australian news media organisations from posting content to its platform. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Facebook initiated the block in response to the proposed News Media Bargaining Code, currently being discussed in Parliament, which would require tech giants to pay for Australian news shared on platforms such as Facebook and Google. From February 18, Australian users attempting to post links from news sites on the platform encountered an erro
Facebook blocked Aussies from reading and sharing local news on Thursday
Emergency services and domestic violence helpline pages were also removed
Simon Milner, head of policy in the Asia-Pacific, said it is not Facebook s fault
Mr Milner didn t comment on whether algorithm tests had been undertaken
He admitted some vital pages had been inadvertently caught up in the ban