Facebook to restrict Australians from sharing or viewing news content

· WAtoday

Facebook has announced that it will restrict publishers and people in Australia from sharing or viewing Australian and international news content in response to Australia’s proposed media bargaining laws.

In a blog post, the social media giant said that it made the decision after being unable to find a “solution” in discussions with the Australian government.

“The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content”, Facebook said.Credit: AP

“The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content,” said William Easton, Facebook’s Australia and New Zealand managing director.

“It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter.

“Unfortunately, this means people and news organisations in Australia are now restricted from posting news links and sharing or viewing Australian and international news content on Facebook.”

More to come