Marketplace Tech Meta's news blackout in Canada causes problems during election
Apr 30, 2025
Canada's recent elections faced significant challenges due to a new law mandating payment from social media companies to news publishers. Meta's drastic decision to block news from its platforms created a vacuum, leading to less access to credible information. This blackout not only impacted media engagement but also allowed misleading content to flourish. As local news outlets struggled to survive, questions arose about the implications for democracy and the role of tech companies in shaping public discourse.
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Canada's News Payment Law Impact
- Canada's Online News Act forces platforms to pay news publishers or face penalties.
- Meta chose to block all Canadian news on Facebook and Instagram rather than comply.
Media Engagement Drops in Canada
- Nearly half of all media engagement declined after Meta's blackout in Canada.
- Over 200 mostly local news outlets have shut down, accelerating decline in journalism.
News Void Filled by Misinformation
- Most Canadians didn't notice absence of news links due to alternative content forms.
- Hyper-partisan and AI-generated fake content flourished online instead of reliable news.