‘Canadians don’t like being intimidated’: Ottawa slams Facebook over threats to pull news – National | 24CA News

Federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez accused Meta on Thursday of making an attempt to intimidate Canadians with threats of pulling news content material from its Facebook platform, following the adoption of Bill C-18 within the House of Commons.

“Canadians don’t like being intimidated,” Rodriguez informed reporters in Ottawa. “Me, if I were Facebook, I would change my strategy. It won’t pass with Canadians.”

The minister was reacting to an announcement on Wednesday from Facebook’s mum or dad firm, Meta, saying the invoice “forces us to consider removing news from Facebook in Canada rather than being compelled to submit to government-mandated negotiations that do not properly account for the value we provide publishers.”

Bill C-18, which now strikes on to the Senate, goals to drive digital platforms — primarily Google and Facebook — to enter into compensation agreements with news corporations whose journalistic content material they share.

“C-18, ultimately, is to guarantee a press that is free, independent, strong,” Rodriguez mentioned. “That’s the goal of C-18. News has value. And the web giants must recognize that.”

In early October, Rodriguez accused Google and YouTube of behaving like bullies by publishing a weblog publish criticizing Bill C-11, which goals to control streaming platforms.

And final week, he confirmed impatience with the time taken by the Senate to conclude its examine of Bill C-11, as a Senate committee adopted main amendments to the laws. The NDP and Bloc Quebecois had additionally criticized the Senate’s deliberations on the invoice.

2:43
How some tech corporations are planning to guard themselves from financial uncertainty

Many Conservatives, nonetheless, in addition to content material creators, have repeatedly acknowledged that they concern Bill C-11 will restrict what customers of streaming platforms can share on-line.

Rodriguez mentioned he didn’t suppose Bill C-18 will face the identical delays within the Senate. “I hope not, but I think not. And the good news is that C-11 has passed the report stage in the Senate and should ideally return to the House at the start of the year.”

The House of Commons adjourned for the vacation break on Wednesday and is predicted to renew on Monday, Jan. 30.

Meta funds a fellowship that helps journalism positions at The Canadian Press.

&copy 2022 The Canadian Press