How do you get your news? How do you know it is factual or unbiased? How do you know whether it comes from a trustworthy source?
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
These are some of the questions that are being asked as Meta looks to end its current funding arrangements with Australian news providers.
So why is that such a big deal? And how will it impact you?
If the Canadian example is anything to go by, it will mean you will no longer get news from trusted Australian news organisations such as Lismore City News on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
The information you will get cannot be called "news".
Our sister paper, The Canberra Times, revealed last week that Meta's new artificial intelligence feature on its Facebook and Instagram platforms is misleading users by fabricating false and, in some cases, defamatory summaries of news reports.
ACM and other Australian media companies are calling for the government to support regional journalism by using the News Media Bargaining Code to force Meta to negotiate with publishers. The code was introduced in 2021 to compel global digital platforms to support Australian news content.
It is expected Meta will respond by blocking news content on its platforms in Australia, as it did in Canada in August 2023, to avoid paying for content.
So, how can you make sure the news you read can be trusted, is accurate, and fair?
Editors from mastheads owned by ACM have a direct message for their thousands of followers on social media: before Meta blocks news in your feed, sign up as a subscriber to support the local journalism you trust to keep your community strong.
Don't rely on an algorithm to show you real news.
We are urging our audiences on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to connect directly to the source of the public interest journalism and local news they value most.
Here's what social media users can do:
- sign up to get free editor's newsletters from your favourite local news source emailed straight to your inbox;
- go directly to Lismore City News website to get the latest news from the region, and around Australia.
The team at Lismore City News takes great care and pride in telling the stories that matter to the community. It is our community. We live here too. We believe our communities deserve to be kept informed with news that is accurate and well-balanced.
Thanks for your continued support - Cath Adams, editor
