August 21, 2024 – 07:00
Blocking news on Meta
The bad faith of the web giants decried by players in the region
By: Bagot’s Thought
A year has passed since Meta (Facebook and Instagram) decided to remove Canadian journalistic content from its social networks to avoid having to comply with the new Online News Act (C-18). Although the anticipated devastating effects did not materialize, many people decry this trickery of the web giant.
This is the case of Benoit Chartier, editor of the newspaper Bagot’s Thought and president of the Hebdos Québec association, who does not mince his words regarding Meta’s actions. “Facebook, these are people of bad faith at the base. They do everything to thwart the Canadian and Quebec media. […] For a year with the Online News Act, “I realize that the two web giants, Meta and Google, want the disappearance of traditional Canadian media. They want our advertising revenue and, as long as we’re here, we’re a bundle of trouble for them,” explains Mr. Chartier, disillusioned, adding that the web giants are currently spending millions of dollars lobbying in Ottawa to thwart Canadian media.
The member for Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot, Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, also deplores Meta’s attitude. “It was very difficult. We are still hoping for a harmonious resolution. That doesn’t change the fact that this law was necessary. […] These giants have the right to make profits, but they must respect the laws and customs of a country where they invest and open markets,” he adds.
As reported by other Quebec media, Benoit Chartier states that the crisis anticipated when Meta blocked news did not materialize. “Apart from the loss of visibility on Facebook and having fewer redirects to our website, there are no other consequences, not even monetary.”
The federal MP even believes that the social network has lost its luster. “Meta may claim that it has not affected its platforms. In fact, the quality, thanks to the joy of algorithms, is no longer the same. I see photos of cats on my news feed on Facebook, when it is obvious that my interests are towards politics. It is now a social network of cat videos and jokes,” he adds.
Artificial intelligence
In addition to the issue related to Bill C-18, Benoit Chartier highlights another issue, namely the request by web giants to the Canadian government to repeal the copyright law.
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) raises many concerns, so much so that the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDEC) has requested that this law not be amended to provide new protections for AI. It should be remembered that when a user asks a question to AI, the latter often draws its answers from online journalistic sources.
“They want to avoid paying our royalties in these cases,” Mr. Chartier says. “Sometimes, the AI responds to Internet users with our answers, but they don’t pay us for that. Their goal is to not pay us in the future. They want to change the law in this sense. We oppose that, but they say that if the law doesn’t change, they will stop all research and development in Canada in artificial intelligence. It’s just bad faith!”
Regarding the advent of artificial intelligence, Mr. Savard-Tremblay is more nuanced in his remarks. “There is no point in denying the direction of the wind. We cannot control the tide, but we can build river dikes, for example. The rise of these artificial intelligences must be welcomed with caution. I am for progress, provided that we ask ourselves whether it strengthens humanity or whether it dehumanizes us.”
Although it was without a doubt the right thing to do, Bill C-18 should be updated, he believes. Among other things, Mr. Savard-Tremblay would like to extend the tax credit currently offered to newspapers with newsrooms to radio and television broadcasting license holders. He also proposes setting up an assistance fund for the digital transition of the media. “Meta is holding its ground and will not change. […] “These are seven-headed giants who are in the process of completely destroying global journalism,” concludes Benoit Chartier.
With the collaboration of Sarah-Eve Charland
