was a difficult but “legally necessary” step for the social giant to protect itself. And, doing some damage control, the company has pledged to invest at least $1 billion over the next three years in payments to news media companies.to share news on its platform following the government’s agreement to make certain revisions to a law that requires internet companies to pay news providers.
“We understand the decision to stop the sharing of news in Australia appeared to come out of nowhere,” Clegg wrote. However, he continued, “Far from being out of the blue, Facebook indicated that it might be forced into this position six months ago. We’ve been in discussions with the Australian government for three years trying to explain why this proposed law, unamended, was unworkable.”
Facebook is now more closely hewing to the Google playbook, and promising paychecks to news orgs. Google last year pledged to pay $1 billion over three years to partners for content in the Google News Showcase. With regard to the Australia situation,in contrast to Facebook’s proactive news ban.
Facebook My god! how far has nick_clegg fallen? Shameful. I voted for him too. Gutted.