This marks a new chapter for Facebook and its News tab . Following the abandonment of information licensing agreements in Europe, the United States and Australia will also see this service disappear in April 2024. This decision, made and published by Meta , is far from insignificant and signals a major strategic shift for the digital giant, which is now refocusing on short videos and the creator economy.
A bet on immersive content and the creator economy
Launched in 2019 with the ambition of supporting quality journalism and strengthening democracy, the News never really managed to gain traction. This was due to low user engagement, representing less than 3% of the content displayed in their news feed. Faced with this situation, Facebook decided to refocus its efforts on immersive video formats and the creator economy , perceived as more in line with current expectations.
A major blow for the Australian media
In Australia, the removal of the News tab and the $70 million in annual payments to local media outlets represents a major blow to the news industry . This decision comes as the country prepares to renew its Compulsory Negotiation Code for News Media and Digital Platforms , a law that had forced Facebook to sign licensing agreements with Australian publishers.
An uncertain future for quality journalism
Facebook's decision to withdraw from news aggregation raises important questions about the future of quality journalism. If digital platforms prioritize entertaining and viral content over serious and in-depth reporting, how can we guarantee the survival of a free and independent press?
Towards a fragmented media landscape?
Removing the News tab could also further fragment the media landscape. Users will now have to turn to a multitude of different sources for information, making it more difficult to access reliable and diverse news.
Facebook 's decision to discontinue the News tab marks a major turning point in digital history. While it may be seen as an opportunity for video content creators, it nonetheless poses a threat to quality journalism and the diversity of information.
Key points to remember:
- Facebook is removing its News tab in Australia and the United States.
- The platform is refocusing on short videos and the creator economy.
- A major blow for Australian media and quality journalism.
- The future of information and media diversity is in question.
