Facebook owner Meta faces criticism over plans to shut down a major feature as the social network shifts focus to video, impacting millions of users in the UK, France, and Germany.
Meta plans to close Facebook News in early December, ending an agreement to fund local news and a dedicated tab for users to find trusted publishers’ stories.
Facebook has partnered with news publishers since 2019, recognizing quality journalism as essential for open societies. Users will still be able to share news articles, and industry experts view this decision as a “little surprise” due to recent news blackouts that Meta is enforcing in Canada and Australia.
Meta exploits its dominant position on Facebook, focusing on short-form video content rather than news content. The company claims news makes up less than 3% of global feed views.
The company says it will honor existing agreements with news publishers until they expire.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Belinda Quansah
