Meta, previously known as Facebook, has announced the cessation of news features on its platform in Australia, citing excessive costs and a realignment of priorities. This decision, which mirrors similar actions taken in other countries, raises questions about the future of news consumption on social media.
The move by Meta is consistent with its strategy in the UK, France, and Germany, indicating a broader trend in the company’s approach to news content. Despite claiming a commitment to connecting users with reliable information, Meta contends that news constitutes a negligible portion of the Facebook experience, comprising less than 3% of user feeds worldwide.
Consequently, Meta plans to remove the dedicated news tab from its site, prompting users to visit individual news publishers’ Facebook pages for updates. This shift may have little impact on some users but could significantly alter the experience for those who rely on Facebook as a news aggregator.
In contrast to previous actions in 2021, Meta will not deactivate pages mistakenly categorized as media pages. Instead, it encourages news publishers to invest in Meta’s services to boost traffic, signaling a shift in financial dynamics.
The decision has prompted concerns about the sustainability of news journalism, with fears that social media platforms may be supplanting traditional news sources. Meta’s reluctance to engage in commercial agreements with news publishers underscores its position that news is not a core driver of its business.
The Australian government, which previously implemented the News Media Bargaining Code to regulate tech companies’ relationships with news outlets, now faces a dilemma. With Meta’s refusal to negotiate new agreements and its indication to let existing ones lapse, policymakers must weigh their options carefully.
The relevant ministers have criticized Meta’s decision, framing it as a failure to support Australian news media sustainability. However, the effectiveness of regulatory measures remains uncertain, with Meta potentially facing designation under the code if no commercial deals materialize.
Ultimately, Meta’s actions underscore the evolving landscape of news consumption in the digital age, prompting policymakers to reassess regulatory frameworks and explore avenues to support news journalism’s viability in the face of technological disruptions.
