Statement: Meta Threatens to Remove News from Facebook if JCPA is Passed

In response to Meta’s statement today that it would consider removing news from Facebook if the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act – a bill that would require the dominant tech platforms to fairly compensate news publishers for use of their content – is passed in the U.S., the News/Media Alliance stated:

Facebook’s threat to take down news is undemocratic and unbecoming.  As the tech platforms compensate news publishers around the world, it demonstrates there is a demand and economic value for news. These threats were attempted before the Australian government passed a similar law to compensate news outlets, played out unsuccessfully, and ultimately news publishers were paid. The Australian law resulted in countless jobs for local journalists and $140 million to news outlets, which translates to billions in the U.S.

###