The social media giant had been pushed into paying for news by governments hoping to level the media playing field and support struggling news firms.Media companies around the world have seen a decline in revenues for years, with advertisers flocking to popular digital platforms like Google and Facebook to reach consumers.Three years ago, Meta’s promise to pay news outlets prompted the Australian government to water down legislation governing online platforms and their relationships with the news media.On Friday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland expressed anger at Meta’s announcement and suggested the government may take retaliatory measures.”Meta’s decision to no longer pay for news content in a number of jurisdictions represents a dereliction of its commitment to the sustainability of Australian news media,” Rowland said.”The decision removes a significant source of revenue for Australian news media businesses. Australian news publishers deserve fair compensation for the content they provide.”Rowland said the government would “work through all available options” to address the issue, in consultation with the country’s communications regulator.The government was “committed to promoting a strong, sustainable and diverse media sector given its vital importance to our democracy and social cohesion”, she said.
Source link
