Meta in turn threatens to block access to news sites on its Facebook and Instagram platforms if the federal online news bill passes in its current form.
A company spokeswoman, Lisa Laventure, says Meta made the decision because the law, if passed, will require it to pay media outlets for links or content it doesn’t have. -even displayed.
She adds that paying for these messages is neither profitable nor viable for Meta.
Digital giants like Meta and Google oppose Bill C-18 because it would force them to negotiate deals to compensate Canadian media companies for displaying or providing links to their news content .
Major Canadian media corporations and the federal government are defending the bill, saying it will ensure fair revenue sharing between digital platforms and media.
Meta had also threatened in the past to block journalistic content from its social network Facebook in Australia, when the country put forward legislation similar to that which Canada intends to adopt. The company had finally backpedaled.
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