![]() |
Google and Facebook logos, words "media, news, media" and Australian flag are displayed in this illustration taken, February 18, 2021. © REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration |
(RT) - Facebook has vowed to revive thousands of Australian news pages after the government said it would amend its new media code, which requires web platforms to pay for news content, following a weeklong standoff.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Facebook had promised “to restore Australian news pages in the coming days” in a statement on Tuesday, noting the Scott Morrison administration would soon introduce “further amendments” to the media bargaining code.
“These amendments will provide further clarity to digital platforms and news media businesses about the way the Code is intended to operate and strengthen the framework for ensuring news media businesses are fairly remunerated,” Frydenberg said.
News is coming back to Facebook. Government has agreed to amendments to code, per Josh Frydenberg release. pic.twitter.com/EOpybYcGcl
— Josh Taylor (@joshgnosis) February 23, 2021
Facebook has confirmed it’s lifting the news blackout, stating that Canberra “has agreed to a number of changes and guarantees that address” its “core concerns,” namely the value Facebook says it provides to news publishers.
News is coming back to Facebook. Government has agreed to amendments to code, per Josh Frydenberg release. pic.twitter.com/EOpybYcGcl
— Josh Taylor (@joshgnosis) February 23, 2021
The company reportedly held talks with officials from the Morrison administration last Friday, not long after the PM insisted he would not back down to “some sort of threat” from a social media platform. However, Tuesday’s announcement has stoked allegations that it did just that, with observers online arguing the government had “caved” to the tech behemoth just days after the new code came into force.
Seems like Australia's government gave in with last-minute changes to media law. https://t.co/rahpr6Gwxi
— Ken Yeung (@thekenyeung) February 23, 2021
Looks like Australia caved to Facebook after less than a week https://t.co/FRXBovVGm1
— Casey Newton (@CaseyNewton) February 23, 2021
BREAKING: "We’re restoring news on Facebook in Australia in the coming days" says Facebook VP of global news partnerships @campbell_brown. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/1T4LTiL2Jt
— Alex Kantrowitz (@Kantrowitz) February 23, 2021
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!