Midland Express February 23 3021

Page 1

Express MIDLAND

www.midlandexpress.com.au

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

INSIDE TODAY

YOUR MOS T TRUSTED SOURCE OF LOCAL NEWS

Locked in love

Laura Tillotson and Adrian Seccombe were grateful to Macedon Ranges locals for helping them reschedule their big day just hours before the state's snap lockdown was activated. Photo: Tim Marriage Full story, page 5.

WE’VE BEEN BLOCKED

Facebook last Thursday made good on its threat to block news content in Australia in response to the federal government's proposed new media bargaining law. Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the decision by Facebook removed "authoritative" news sources from its platform at a time when the credibility of information on it was being questioned. "It goes to the central issue that has underpinned why we have been developing this news media bargaining code, which is the competition policy issue, going to the market power of Facebook and Google," Mr Fletcher said.

"One of the reasons there is a concern is because it's very important that we have a diverse and well-resourced news media sector in Australia. That's a critical part of our democracy." The government led the world in December 2017 by directing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate competition in the media and advertising services market, as concern grew over the future of public interest journalism around the world. Google is currently negotiating with Australian media companies, including with independent local newspapers and members of Country Press Australia.

But in a statement issued by Facebook last week, William Easton, managing director of Facebook in Australia and New Zealand, said the proposed law fundamentally misunderstood the relationship between the platform and publishers who use it to share news content. "It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter," he said. Continued page 7.

PA ALMER,, STEVENSS & RENNIC CK Barristers & Solicitors

email: psr@psr.net.au

KN255547

Please contact us on 5422 6500

8 Jennings St, Kyneton

KN254613

Property and Conveyancing Criminal Law Family Law Wills and Estates Commercial Law Employment Law Appearing in Kyneton Court


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