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Meta Shifts Away From News Content, Ceases Payments to Australian News Outlets
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Meta has announced that it will no longer pay Australian news outlets as part of its broader shift away from news content. This decision comes after usage of Facebook News in Australia and the US dropped by over 80% in the last year. The company stated that it will honor existing agreements but will not enter into new payment arrangements with Australian publishers. This move marks the end of Meta’s truce with Australian government officials following the implementation of the “News Media Bargaining Code” in 2021. Meta’s focus on short-form video and AI-recommended Reels has driven engagement gains, leading the company to distance itself from news content. As Meta continues to prioritize user engagement over news, it is evident that news content plays a minor role in its service. The company’s decision not to pay Australian news publishers reflects a broader strategy to shift away from traditional news content in favor of other forms of user-generated content.