Facebook blocks press in Australia in protest over proposed law

Facebook categorically refuses to pay press sites

Facebook explains its opposition Australian government bill. This bill, passed by the House of Representatives and soon to be introduced in the Senate, plans to force Facebook and Google to pay media in exchange for referencing and sharing their productions. A set of rules developed by the competition watchdog (Australian Competition and Consumer Commissionor ACCC) states: Facebook will have to pay press sites quotes articles and images from around the internet. The competition authority relies on a report estimating that Facebook captures 28% of ad spend in Australia.

““As we have repeatedly explained to the Australian government over the past months, the value exchange between Facebook and news publishers is biased in favour of the latter. We make very little money from information. This content represents less than 4% of what users see in their news feeds.” Facebook says it is willing to defend its position. Mark Zuckerberg’s social network refuses to enter into negotiations with press sites. Facebook believes media already gets free use of its infrastructure to push their content, “sell more subscriptions, grow your audience and increase ad revenue”.

Facebook’s Australia and New Zealand director, William Easton, assures: The social network found itself with its back against the wall : “We face an unenviable choice: to comply with a law that ignores the realities of the relationship (between networks and broadcasters) or to stop allowing news content on our services in Australia.”.

Unsurprisingly, the Australian government has been critical of the social network’s limitations. “Facebook was wrong, Facebook’s actions were unnecessary, cruel and will damage its reputation in Australia.” Australia’s current Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says. Despite Facebook’s response, the politician says: Government remains “determined” to implement planned measures. “What today’s events confirm for all Australians is the dominant position these giants have in our economy and in the digital landscape.” Josh Frydenberg continues.

Google agrees to meet with Australian media

Unlike Facebook, Google agrees to negotiate fair compensation with publishers of Australian press sites. American giant pledges to pay after threatening to block search engine in Australia “Significant amounts” To the News Corp press group. By Rupert Murdoch, who took over media including the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, The Times, The Sun and The Australian.

Facebook assures in its press release: The relationship between Google and the press is very different from its own. “Google search is inextricably linked to news, and publishers do not volunteer their content. On the other hand, publishers happily choose to publish news on Facebook.” gives details of the company. Under these circumstances, Facebook, ““We want the Australian Government to recognise the value we already deliver.”For now, neither Facebook nor the government appear likely to change their positions.