When journalism jobs are lost, “news deserts” expand. They become prime land to be colonized by misinformation and disinformation campaigns and crusaders.
A coalition of news organizations formally called on Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate Meta’s allegedly “anti-competitive conduct” by blocking access to news on its platforms and for its unwillingness to negotiate.
The controversies surrounding Bill C-18 highlight the tremendous challenges and conflicts associated with crafting policy to deal with the spread of misinformation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is showing no interest in compromising with Meta and Google over a proposed law that would make them pay for Canadian journalism that helps tech companies generate revenue.
Google and Facebook raked in 80 per cent of the $12.3 billion in online advertising revenue in Canada in 2021, twice the revenue for the broadcast television and newspaper sectors combined.
Google has taken the extraordinary step of writing to every MP and senator expressing fears that the online news bill is being rushed through Parliament without proper debate or consideration.