Meta announcement an assault on public interest journalism

Australia’s leading publisher of news for regional Australians, ACM, has labelled as outrageous Meta’s decision to abandon its support for news on Facebook.

“This is a hugely disappointing decision and a sad day for news and journalism in Australia, in particular the trusted local news from ACM that keeps regional Australians informed and connected,” ACM Managing Director Tony Kendall said.

“That the world’s largest social media company is no longer willing to pay its fair share for the quality Australian news and trusted information that lends its Facebook platform what is left of its credibility is, frankly, outrageous.

“Meta’s move will significantly affect our business. It will also, sadly, fuel the explosion of fake news and other junk proliferating on social media. We hope that Australians who want actual news in their so-called “newsfeed” will seriously consider boycotting Facebook.”

As strong supporters of the News Media Bargaining Code, ACM endorses the Albanese government’s criticism of Meta, which Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland have today accused of “a dereliction of its commitment to the sustainability of Australian news media”.

Mr Kendall: “It is to be hoped the government is prepared to use the code to force Meta to negotiate with Australian media companies like ACM over the valuable content our journalists, photographers and editors provide.