Ottawa Negotiates with Meta to Restore News on Facebook
Canadian government officials are currently engaged in discussions with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, regarding the potential restoration of news content on its platform. This dialogue has emerged as part of broader trade negotiations with the United States, linked to the controversial Online News Act. This act, which became law in 2023, previously prompted Meta to prohibit news access on Facebook and Instagram as it mandated financial contributions to Canada’s journalism industry.
Background on the Online News Act
The Online News Act was introduced to support Canadian news organizations. However, it faced backlash from U.S. tech giants, particularly Meta. In response to this legislation, Meta blocked news content in 2023, claiming that it was not willing to pay for news appearing on its platforms.
Current Negotiations with Meta
Alisson Lévesque, spokesperson for Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller, confirmed that preliminary negotiations are taking place between Meta and the Heritage Department. Lévesque emphasized the government’s desire to restore news content on social media, stating, “We want news back. How do we go there is a question mark, and that’s why we are having conversations.”
Challenges Ahead
Meta’s Rachel Curran shared in a committee meeting that the company is optimistic about reintroducing news to Facebook. However, for this to occur, Meta would need to be exempted from the Online News Act to avoid the obligation of paying into the Canadian journalism sector.
- Google has agreed to fund Canadian news publishers and invests $100 million annually into the sector.
- Two-thirds of Google’s funding supports local newspapers, particularly for francophone and Indigenous communities.
- The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is limited to a maximum of $7 million from these funds.
Trade Relations with the United States
During recent discussions, Minister Miller indicated that Canada is open to being flexible regarding the Online News and Online Streaming Acts amid trade talks. However, he made it clear that the U.S. could not impose its will on Canada, and there are limits the Canadian government will not breach.
Concerns from the Canadian Broadcasting Sector
Industry leaders in Canada are anxious about the implications of the trade negotiations. They warned that abandoning the Online Streaming Act could lead to numerous closures of Canadian media outlets. Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, described the potential halting of this act as a “crushing blow” to the cultural industry.
Efforts to negotiate terms around the Online News Act continue, as Ottawa seeks to balance international trade relations while supporting local journalism. As developments unfold, the fate of news on social media and the broader implications for Canada’s media landscape remain uncertain.
