Facebook has announced it will restore news content to its users in Australia. The tech giant has blocked news to Australians on its platform since last Thursday amid a dispute over a proposed law which would force it and Google to pay news publishers for content. Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg had told him the ban would end “in the coming days”, after the pair had talks.
Mr Frydenberg said amendments would be made to the law. Facebook has re-friended Australia,” he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
The government has been debating the law – seen as a possible test case for regulation globally – in the Senate, after it was passed in the lower house last week. Last Thursday, Australians woke up to find they could not access or share any news stories on their accounts. Facebook argued it had been forced to block Australian news in response to the proposed legislation.
The government’s news code aims to set up a “fairer” negotiation process between the tech giants and news companies over the value of news content. Australian authorities will introduce four further amendments, including one that means the government may not apply the code to Facebook if it can demonstrate a “significant contribution” to local journalism.
They include a two-month mediation period before government-enforced arbitration kicks in – giving parties more time to reach a private deal. Australia’s largest locally-owned company Nine Entertainment said it was “pleased” the government had found a compromise and was looking forward to resuming talks about a commercial arrangement.
In other news – Pabi Moloi bags new hosting gig for current affairs
– Mzansi media personality Pabi Moloi has bagged herself a brand new hosting gig on etv – Pabi is going to be on The Morning Show, a programme about news, current affairs and lifestyle.
Fans are excited to see what Pabi is going to be bringing to the table next in her impressive media career. Learn more
Source: BBC
