Facebook Blocks Australian News Sites From Being Shared on its Platform February 18, 2021 Share Share Responding to Facebook blocking Australian news sites from being shared on its platform, Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O’Connor said: “It is extremely concerning that a private company is willing to control access to information that people rely on. “Facebook’s action starkly demonstrates why allowing one company to exert such dominant power over our information ecosystem threatens human rights. “It’s alarming that community support groups, emergency services and charities have had their content blocked. “We’re particularly concerned with the effect this is having on people in the Pacific, many of whom rely on getting information and news from Facebook due to the nature of their agreements with telecommunications providers.