A bill, identified as C-18 , forcing tech companies to “pay off and collude” with big media companies, has passed in Canada. The bill is the Canadian equivalent of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA). As a result, Facebook (Meta) says news content will no longer be available on its main platform and Instagram in the country. Reportedly, Google is considering a similar approach on its platforms.
Similar to the JCPA in the U.S., a bill that has repeatedly failed to pass, though Senate Democrats are once again trying to revive it, the primary goal of C-18 is to force tech companies to fund the left-leaning legacy media. C-18, was passed this week by the Canadian Parliament.
Reportedly, Just like the JCPA, C-18 allows media companies in Canada to enter into negotiations with tech companies to pay them for “carrying” their content, i.e., linking to the content and providing the media companies with traffic. However, if no voluntary agreement is reached between the media and the tech company, an agreement can be forced on the tech companies through arbitration, by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
And if the CRTC determines that a news business does not adhered to recognized rules, such as “processes and principles of the journalism profession,” or is not “fair,” “independent,” or “rigorous,” it can simply block a news outlet from receiving any of the benefits of C-18.
Facebook said, in response to the bill’s passage, it is moving to restrict the distribution of all news content in Canada. This is similar to the media giants position in Australia, in 2021. This occurred after the passage of a similar law there, but Meta eventually came to an agreement with media companies.
Meta said in a statement-
“We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18 … content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada,”
-Meta Canada (Facebook / Instagram)
Google indicated that it was considering similar measures. In a statement they said-
“Every step of the way, we’ve proposed thoughtful and pragmatic solutions that would have improved the bill and cleared the path for us to increase our already significant investments in the Canadian news ecosystem,” …adding…“So far, none of our concerns have been addressed. Bill C-18 is about to become law and remains unworkable.”
-Google
Apparently, Zuckerberg’s position drew the fire of the country’s leftist-prime minister, Justin Trudeau. The Prime Minister said-
“The fact that these internet giants would rather cut off Canadians’ access to local news than pay their fair share is a real problem, and now they’re resorting to bullying tactics to try and get their way. It’s not going to work,”
-Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister
“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
-George Washington