Days after restricting Australians publishers and residents from sharing news content on the social media app, the company has reversed the policy.
Initially, the social media company claimed “We will now prioritize investments to other countries, as part of our plans to invest in new licensing news programs and experiences.”
The company stated:
“After further discussions, we are satisfied that the Australian government has agreed to a number of changes and guarantees that address our core concerns about allowing commercial deals that recognize the value our platform provides to publishers relative to the value we receive from them. As a result of these changes, we can now work to further our investment in public interest journalism and restore news on Facebook for Australians in the coming days”.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said negotiations have restarted, they seem to have settled things for now. According to the Australian news and entertainment website.
The country’s politician confirmed amendments will be added to the News bargaining code to “provide further clarity to digital platforms and news media businesses about the way the Code is intended to operate and strengthen the framework for ensuring news media businesses are fairly remunerated.”
According to the New York times, the modification includes a two-month mediation period, which will allow time for the sides to work out media deals that may mean Facebook doesn’t have to operate under the code.
In a different statement made by the social media VP of Global partnerships Campbell Brown said “Going forward, the Government has clarified we will retain the ability to decide if news appears on Facebook so that we won’t automatically be subject to a forced negotiation.”