Canada’s Online News Act, which bans media organizations, including the Meridian Source, from posting directly to Facebook and Instagram, may be changing.
Read more: Facebook fighting Online News Act
Carney says his government will explore ways to help local news outlets reach Canadians on social media platforms blocked under the federal Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18.
Before indirectly answering the question, Carney hyped investment in the CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster.
“One of the roles of CBC/Radio-Canada is to provide unbiased, immediate, local information, particularly in situations such as you’re referring to,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why we’ve made the commitment to invest and reinforce and actually change the governance of CBC/Radio-Canada to ensure they are providing those essential services.”
He then addressed the question directly.
“I personally, and this government, is a big believer in the value of what you do … and the importance of ensuring that that is disseminated as widely and as quickly as possible,” said Carney.
“So, we will look for all avenues to do that, and I understand your question, and it’s part of our thinking around that.”
Industry groups say more than 80 per cent of small publishers saw traffic drop after Meta’s block. Facebook fought hard against the regulations, but in the end, lost, causing users to lose a direct
connection to timely news.
Carney’s remarks suggest Ottawa might consider new ways to restore that reach while keeping support for local journalism.
Read more: Column: Local news and you
