On Friday, the Canadian government issued a call for Meta to reverse its controversial ban on domestic news from its platforms, emphasizing the need for accessible information regarding the wildfires affecting western Canada.
This month, Meta began blocking news content on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada, a move prompted by a new law aimed at requiring internet giants to compensate news outlets for their articles.
Residents fleeing the wildfires in the remote northern town of Yellowknife have expressed frustration to local media, stating that the ban has hindered their ability to share critical information about the fires.
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge criticized Meta’s decision, stating in a social media post, “The company’s reckless choice to block news is compromising access to vital information on Facebook and Instagram.” She urged Meta to reinstate news sharing immediately, asserting, “We need more news right now, not less,” particularly for Canadians facing this emergency.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez echoed these concerns, highlighting how the ban deprives people of essential information during a crisis.
Chris Bittle, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, labeled Meta’s actions as “reckless and irresponsible” in a statement made on Thursday.
Ollie Williams, who operates Yellowknife’s Cabin Radio, reported to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. that users were resorting to posting screenshots of information on Facebook in lieu of being able to share news links.
In response to the criticism, a Meta representative conveyed via email that the company has enabled the “Safety Check” feature on Facebook. This feature allows users to inform their friends and family that they are safe following a natural disaster or crisis.
The spokesperson also noted that users still have access to essential content from official government agencies, emergency services, and non-governmental organizations on both Facebook and Instagram.
Meta maintains that its users do not primarily seek news on its platforms, asserting that the financial burden of compensating content providers for news shared is not sustainable for the business.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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