Meta’s decision to stop news content from being available on its Canadian platforms may push consumers to change their online browsing habits and take charge of where they get their news, according to a London, Ont., journalism professor.
“If social media is where you go to get your news, then you’ll definitely notice this change. Especially the younger generation,” said Gina Lorentz, coordinator for Fanshawe College’s journalism program.
“They didn’t have to think about tuning into a particular station or subscribing to a newspaper, so it will mean changing some habits to stay up to date on what’s happening locally.”
On Tuesday, social media giant Meta — who owns Facebook and Instagram — announced it has officially begun ending news availability on its platforms in Canada.
It’s in response to the federal government passing the Online News Act in June, that requires big tech companies like Meta and Google to pay media outlets for news content they share or repurpose on their platforms.
Implementing the new policy on Meta’s platforms will take a few weeks, the company said.
It’s too soon to assess what the true implications of this move will be, said Jeremy Copeland, a professor at Western University’s Masters of Media in Journalism and Communications program.
Jeremy Copeland is a lecturer and former chair of the Master of Media in Journalism and Communication program at Western University. (Jeremy Copeland)
Copeland believes old habits of relying on news feeds can be hard to change unless there are major news events, and that could leave people less informed, he said.
“I don’t think people who get their news from social media are going to start checking out [media outlets],” he said. “When they will do that is if there’s a big story that happens, like weather-related or other significant events.”
Period of innovation
But Lorentz believes this could be a transitional period for media outlets to be innovative and find creative ways to engage with their audiences.
If people want to continue staying informed on local and international issues, they need to do their own research and go directly to their trusted media sites in order to take back control of where they get their information, she said.
“There will be some education needed on why media outlets are of value, how it matters, and how they’re still making their content available, hoping that the consumer will follow wherever they are,” Lorentz said.
Meta’s removal of news content from Canadian platforms could push consumers to change their online browsing habits, says journalism professor Gina Lorentz. (Shutterstock/Primakov)
The change could motivate people to take onus of how they get their news instead of relying on social media algorithms, and to question if they’re open to changing their Google search habits and turn to other search engines, she added.
Although it’s a complex and nuanced battle between the Canadian government and tech giants, it’s in everyone’s, especially the public’s best interest to resolve it as quickly as possible, Copeland said.
How to find CBC News?
As Meta cuts off access to news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, you will still be able to access our journalism on other platforms. Read our Editor’s Blog for all the ways you can stay connected with CBC News:
You can also:
Here’s a list of CBC/Radio-Canada’s local news directory for private news outlets in your community.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
