Australia upholds media law despite Facebook blockade
Australia wants to implement its new media law despite the blocking of all media content on Facebook. The reform, which forces platforms such as Facebook and Google to share their advertising revenue generated from news content with media companies, is expected to pass the Senate next week.
A majority has recently emerged. The House of Representatives has already given its approval. Facebook's actions have sparked criticism worldwide. As previously feared by the US technology giant, other countries are likely to follow Australia's lead. Canadian Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault announced on Friday night that he intends to copy the approach in his own bill, which he plans to present in the coming months. "Canada is at the forefront of this fight," said Guilbeault.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had received support on the issue from the heads of state and government of the UK, France and India, as well as Canada. "There is a lot of interest in the world in what Australia is doing," said Morrison. He called on Facebook to make concessions. "Because they know what Australia is doing here is likely to be followed in the legislation of many other Western countries."
The Australian Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg has been Start of the media blockade by Facebook has already negotiated twice with company boss Mark Zuckerberg. "We'll talk again this weekend," he tweeted. Facebook had previously stated that the Australian law "misunderstands" the value of the platform for publishers. According to the draft, the tech companies should first sit down with the media companies to reach agreements on payments. If this fails, a mediator appointed by the government will decide.
The role of the internet network, which also includes Instagram and Whatsapp, in the dissemination of news has grown steadily in Australia. The blocking of all media content had an immediate impact. According to data from analytics firm Chartbeat, internet traffic on Australian news sites fell by 13 percent within the country and 30 percent outside the country. However, News Corp manager Michael Miller, who is responsible for the region, said that direct access by Australians to his company's Internet offerings had increased by a double-digit percentage. (SDA)
