Explains Facebook's inability to deliver news in Australia



On February 17, 2021, Facebook suddenly

announced that it would stop sharing news in Australia. We've already redistributed the news at the time of writing, but Facebook has summarized what happened in Australia.

The Real Story of What Happened With News on Facebook in Australia --About Facebook
https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/the-real-story-of-what-happened-with-news-on-facebook-in-australia/

Competition watchdog expects Google and Facebook to strike deal with small publishers | Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/24/competition-watchdog-expects-google-and-facebook-to-strike-deal-with-small-publishers

Bill to Make Facebook, Google Pay for News Clears Last Major Hurdle in Australia --WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bill-to-make-facebook-google-pay-for-news-clears-last-major-hurdle-in-australia-11614163071

On February 17, 2021 local time, Facebook announced that it would limit Australian users and publishers from sharing and viewing domestic and international news content. This was seen as a move to comply with the 'News Media Negotiations Act,' which is being enacted in Australia, which requires payment of news royalties.

Facebook changed specifications to 'cannot post & link to any news articles' in Australia --GIGAZINE


by Book Catalog

As a result, the official app of the local news agency has jumped to the top of the download ranking in the Australian App Store.

The official app of the local news agency jumps to No. 1 in the App Store ranking due to Facebook's ban on sharing news --GIGAZINE



The impact of Facebook's discontinuation of news in Australia was so great that the Australian government announced that it would make some amendments to the News Media Negotiations Act. This fix allows the platform to avoid full legal application if it voluntarily pays for news media. Facebook is no longer forced to pay for media anytime soon, so Facebook has agreed to revive news content in Australia.

Facebook turns news distribution suspension in Australia to restore content --GIGAZINE



Nick Clegg, Facebook's Vice President of Public Relations and International Strategy, explains the sequence of events that took place in Australia.

'In our view, at the heart of this issue is a fundamental misconception about the relationship between Facebook and news media. You can share your story on social media or share it with others. It's up to the publisher to choose to do so. Because it's worth it, the publisher shares the content online, and shares it on the site to make sharing easier. Buttons and more will be placed to encourage you to click on the link shared on Facebook to go to the publisher's website. Facebook will reach the Australian news industry in 2020 with an estimated 407 million Australia. It has created a value of dollars (about 34 billion yen), 'he said, claiming that Facebook is just sharing links and is an indispensable platform for news media to make money. did.

'The allegations that Facebook is stealing the original coverage for profit have been repeated many times lately, but this is a misconception,' Craig said.



Also, as the inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, warned , the news media negotiation law being enacted in Australia 'makes the existing Internet we know infeasible. It's possible, 'Craig said. Craig argues that asking for money for a particular link 'contrary to the basic principles of the Internet.'

'When advertising began to move from printed matter to digital, the economics of news changed, forcing the industry to adapt to the Internet. Some media have moved to the online world and succeeded. For example, some media are struggling to adapt. It's understandable that some media conglomerates see Facebook as a clear source of funding, but that means they're asked to pay as they please. 'Is it?', Claims that Facebook was forced to pay the media an unlimited amount under the News Media Negotiations Act.

The situation Facebook has fallen into is 'like forcing car makers to pay for radio stations because they may listen to the radio in the car,' Craig said.



In this situation, Facebook had only two options: 'provide an open-ended grant to the media' or 'stop news distribution in Australia.' And Facebook decided to choose the latter. Fortunately, after further discussions, the Australian government made some amendments to the News Media Negotiations Act, allowing fair negotiations and allowing Facebook to resume news distribution in Australia.

In addition, it seems that Facebook decided to stop the news distribution in Australia not suddenly but after consulting with the Australian government for three years.

In addition, Facebook is proceeding with a partnership with a news publisher and understands the need for high-quality journalism. In fact, Facebook plans to invest at least $ 1 billion over the next three years and announces that it will pay for content distribution to media such as The Guardian, Telegraph Media Group, Financial Times, Daily Mail Group and Sky News. doing.

Finally, Craig said, 'The Internet needs new rules that serve everyone, not just big media companies. When updating regulations on the Internet, we think about what's best and people think about themselves. You can maintain the freedom to express yourself and the entrepreneur to build new things. New rules should only work if they benefit more people, benefiting a few. It shouldn't be for protection. '

in Web Service, Posted by logu_ii