Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Andrew Brown

News pages to be restored on Facebook

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Picture: Shutterstock

Australian news pages will be restored on Facebook in the coming days.

It comes after the federal government introduced further amendments to its media bargaining code legislation, which will be introduced to parliament.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said news would return to the newsfeeds of Australian Facebook users.

"The government has been advised by Facebook that it intends to restore Australian news pages in coming days," Mr Frydenberg said in a statement.

"These amendments will 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."

A Facebook spokesman said the platform was pleased an agreement was able to be reached with the federal government.

"We have consistently supported a framework that would encourage innovation and collaboration between online platforms and publishers," the spokesman said.

"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 recognise the value of 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 coming days."

Facebook had blocked Australians from accessing news on the social media platform on Thursday, in protest of the media bargaining code.

The new amendments include a two-month mediation period to give parties more time to create deals before a final offer arbitration process.

The government will also have to provide digital platforms one month's notice before any code is designated.

This story News pages to be restored on Facebook first appeared on The Canberra Times.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.