Justin Trudeau slams Facebook for blocking news stories about wildfires
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit out at Facebook as detrimental to democracy after the news service began blocking access to news stories on its platforms in Canada in the midst of a wildfire crisis. “It is so inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of ensuring that local news organizations can get up-to-date information to Canadians and reach them,” Mr Trudeau said prior to a cabinet meeting on Prince Edward Island on Monday in comments reported by the New York Post. Mr Trudeau’s anger at Facebook comes as the company has started enforcing a new policy blocking Canada-based users from accessing news stories in response to a recent Canadian law that requires the company to pay publishers for content shared on the platform. Facebook, in response, has sharply reduced its role as a news service in the country — an issue in an emergency like the one Canada is facing now as its summer wildfires have forced the evacuation of some 35,000 families in the western province of British Columbia. “Democracy depends on people being able to trust high-quality journalism and of all sorts of different perspectives and points of view,” Mr Trudeau said on Monday. “But right now, in an emergency situation, up-to-date local information is more important than ever.” The prime minister’s contention is that Facebook’s policy is threatening people’s safety — a charge that a Facebook spokesperson denied in a statement provided to the Associated Press in which they said that Canadian Facebook users can still use the platform “to connect with their communities and access reputable information, including content from officials.” The dispute between Canadian lawmakers and companies like Facebook and Google set to be affected by the payment law has been brewing for months. In comments made last year, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook’s parent company, Meta, said the Canadian law “is based on the incorrect premise that Meta benefits unfairly from news content shared on our platforms, when the reverse is true.” In fact, experts say, the popularity of Facebook as a news-sharing platform has helped to drive a number of news agencies out of business while reportedly profiting in some cases from the dispersal of misinformation. Meanwhile, Canadian wildfires continue to burn and push families out of their homes. Per the Post, there have been more than 5,700 fires in Canada this summer that have burned more than 50,000 square miles — with the resulting smoke felt at various points in states across the US. Read More Canadian officials ease wildfire evacuation orders in scenic British Columbia region
2023-08-23 05:16
Why You Can't Get a Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Physical Copy
Players can't get a physical copy of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and it doesn't seem like that will change.
2023-08-23 03:57
Is Armored Core 6 on Xbox Game Pass?
Armored Core 6 is not on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Fans must purchase the game for $59.99 to play on Friday, Aug. 25.
2023-08-23 03:48
When is Breeze Coming Back to Valorant?
Breeze is coming back to Valorant on Tuesday, Aug. 29 in Episode 7 Act 2 as Fracture and Pearl leave the map rotation.
2023-08-23 03:48
Female Bird Unimpressed by Male’s Overzealous Tap Dance
A safari group in South Africa witnessed one bird’s epic failure to woo a female.
2023-08-23 02:51
Rocket League Rank Distribution: Season 11 Breakdown
Full breakdown of Rocket League Rank Distribution for Season 11 in Ranked Standard 3v3.
2023-08-23 02:28
Here Are the Key Takeaways From Arm's IPO Filing
SoftBank Group Corp.’s Arm Holdings Ltd. dropped a more than 300-page filing ahead of what’s expected to be
2023-08-23 02:23
AT&T Launches 5G Wireless Home Internet, Catching Up to Rivals
AT&T Inc. is launching a new wireless home internet service, catching up to its rivals in one of
2023-08-23 02:21
7 of the Best Cat Litter Boxes, According to Experts
Whether you’re shopping for senior cats or looking for an automatic model, the best cat litter boxes can improve the quality of life for you and your favorite feline.
2023-08-23 02:16
Cryptoassets increase risk in developing economies, study says
NEW YORK Cryptoassets, peddled as the future of finance, have not only failed to deliver on their promise
2023-08-23 02:15
Madden 24 Training Values in Ultimate Team
All the Madden 24 Training Values in Ultimate Team reveal how many training points each card is worth when you choose to quicksell one.
2023-08-23 01:51
League of Legends Prime Gaming Capsule Aug. 2023: How to Claim
League of Legends Prime Gaming rewards for August are now live, giving fans an opportunity to earn another capsule.
2023-08-23 01:49