Chamber speaks out on Facebook's news ban

Statement from Chamber President Hilary Jacobs:

Facebook has today taken down the pages of legitimate news services in Australia such as the ABC and other local newspapers. Most concerning is their ability to silence other groups including community forums, emergency services, domestic violence services (which use Facebook as a safe and 'covert' means to connect victims with immediate assistance) and worst of all Queensland Health for a period. This is unacceptable behaviour and should not be tolerated, especially while Facebook still don't stop the proliferation of other far less productive activity on Facebook, such as online bullying, trolls and far-left or far-right groups that sit on the fringes of society urging conflict.

Facebook is showing us that their revenue is more important than truth from journalists who are required to fact check and provide everyone with an opportunity to know what is happening in the real world. At a time when COVID19 is ruining so many lives in so many ways, it's vital that the truth, not rumour or downright lies are provided and the fact that FB is now refusing to pay what is a small fee for the benefit of this content on the platform is unacceptable.

Let us know your thoughts on our forus discussion, here.