Unfriended no more: Facebook to lift Australia news ban

Rod McGuirk The Associated Press Facebook announced Tuesday, Feb. 23, that it would lift a ban on Australians viewing and sharing news on its platform after it struck a deal with the government on proposed legislation that would make digital giants pay for journalism. The social media company caused alarm with its sudden decision last week to block news on its platform across Australia after the House of Representatives passed the draft law. Initially, the blackout also cut access – at least temporarily – to government pandemic, public health and emergency services and fueling outrage. Facebook’s cooperation is a major victory in Australia’s efforts to make two major gateways to the internet, Google and Facebook, pay for the journalism that they use – a faceoff that g