Mark Zuckerberg-headed Meta Platforms revealed its decision to discontinue payment to Australian news publishers for content shared on Facebook, sparking renewed tension with the Australian government over regulatory issues. The move comes amidst a global debate surrounding the fairness of online platforms benefiting from news articles shared on their networks, with Meta emphasising a shift away from promoting news and political content on its platform.
This decision follows Meta's termination of similar news promotion tabs in other countries, including the UK, France, and Germany.
Meta Vs Australia
Meta's stance pits it against the Australian government, which had pioneered a 2021 law aimed at compelling internet giants to negotiate licensing agreements with news publishers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Meta's decision, labelling it as unfair and contrary to Australian principles, while government officials are consulting with relevant authorities on potential next steps.
Former ACCC chair Rod Sims condemned Meta's actions, characterising them as self-serving and detrimental to journalistic quality on social media. Under the existing law, the Australian government may appoint a mediator to set fees for Meta or impose penalties if cooperation is lacking. Although Meta is not obliged to compensate publishers for blocked news links, it remains open for publishers to share news content on Facebook.
Meta Stands Against Disinformation
In preparation for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the formation of a specialised team dedicated to combating disinformation and addressing concerns related to the misuse of generative artificial intelligence. This decision follows increasing worries about the potential interference in elections and the spread of misleading content generated by AI technology.
The emergence of generative AI, capable of swiftly creating text, images, and videos based on prompts, has sparked concerns about its potential misuse to disrupt crucial electoral processes globally. These concerns are particularly pertinent ahead of the European Parliament elections, scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 9, where 720 lawmakers collaborate with member state governments to shape EU policies and laws. Safeguarding the integrity of these elections is of utmost importance in ensuring democratic processes remain free from manipulation.
Despite criticism from major media outlets in Australia, Meta appears poised to resist government intervention, potentially resorting to legal challenges. This development underscores ongoing global efforts by governments to safeguard local news industries from being overshadowed in the digital advertising landscape, with other countries like Indonesia also contemplating similar measures.