Meta is facing severe criticism for blocking news links in Canada during a critical period when thousands are fleeing their homes amid advancing wildfires. Kelsey Worth, a 35-year-old resident of Yellowknife, described the situation as “dangerous,” emphasizing the plight of nearly 20,000 residents and many others in small towns under evacuation orders in the Northwest Territories.
In an interview with AFP, Worth shared the challenges that evacuees like herself are encountering in securing accurate information about the wildfires. “It’s insanely difficult,” she stated, highlighting how many depend on social media for reliable news, particularly in emergency situations where timely information is crucial. “Nobody’s able to know what’s true or not,” she added.
On August 1, Meta began restricting the distribution of news links and articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a new law that mandates digital companies to compensate publishers for news content. This legislative measure has resulted in a standoff between Meta and the Canadian government after the bill was passed in June, with enforcement set for next year.
This legislation draws from similar initiatives in Australia and seeks to rejuvenate the Canadian news industry, which has suffered a decline in advertising revenues and the closure of numerous publications over the past decade. It requires companies like Meta and Google to negotiate fair commercial agreements with Canadian news outlets, which the government estimates to be worth approximately CA$330 million (US$250 million) annually, or face compulsory arbitration.
Meta has criticized the legislation as flawed, arguing that news outlets benefit from visibility on its platforms, thereby attracting readers rather than depending on the company.
Prioritizing Profits Over Safety
This week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Meta’s actions, stating it is “inconceivable” for a company like Facebook to prioritize corporate profits over the safety and information needs of Canadians, particularly concerning the wildfires. Almost 80% of online advertising revenues in Canada are captured by Meta and Google, the latter of which has also expressed concerns regarding the new law.
Ollie Williams, director of Cabin Radio, characterized Meta’s decision to block news sharing as “stupid and dangerous.” He suggested to AFP that the company could temporarily lift the ban for humanitarian reasons without facing financial penalties, given the legislation is yet to take effect.
Nicolas Servel of Radio Taiga, a French-language station in Yellowknife, reported that some users have found ways around Meta’s restrictions, including sharing screenshots of news articles from personal accounts instead of corporate ones.
‘Life and Death’
Prominent Canadian newspapers like The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star have initiated campaigns to draw readers directly to their websites. However, smaller outlets are facing difficulties with these workarounds as social media platforms remain dominant. The public broadcaster CBC has urged Meta to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“Time is of the essence,” wrote CBC President Catherine Tait. She called on Meta to take “much-needed humanitarian action” by reversing the ban on crucial news and information for communities affected by the wildfires. With over 1,000 wildfires active across the country, she reiterated that “the need for reliable, trusted, and up-to-date information can literally be the difference between life and death.”
Meta has not responded to AFP’s requests for comment, rejecting CBC’s appeal. Instead, the company has encouraged Canadians to utilize the “Safety Check” feature on Facebook to communicate their safety status. Patrick White, a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal, criticized Meta, labeling the company as a “bad corporate citizen.” He expressed hope that the Canadian government would eventually negotiate a solution with Meta and other digital platforms that address their concerns.
