Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced on Friday that it would cease paying Australian media companies for news content, a decision that drew criticism from the government and raised concerns about the future of the media landscape in Australia.

The move by Meta to end payments to Australian media companies for news content comes as part of a broader global retreat from news content by the social media giant. Meta stated that it would discontinue the Facebook News tab in Australia and not renew deals with news publishers, citing the belief that users do not come to Facebook primarily for news and political content.

This decision is particularly impactful for Australian news outlets, which have already been facing financial challenges. Meta had previously made similar decisions in other countries, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany.

The Australian government had previously watered down legislation governing online platforms and their relationships with the news media in response to Meta's promise to pay news outlets. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland expressed frustration with Meta's decision, stating that it represents a breach of the company's commitment to the sustainability of Australian news media. She emphasized the importance of fair compensation for Australian news publishers and indicated that the government would explore options to address the issue in consultation with the country's communications regulator.

Rowland reiterated the government's dedication to promoting a strong, sustainable, and diverse media sector, emphasizing its critical role in democracy and social cohesion. The government's response suggests that it may consider retaliatory measures against Meta in light of its decision to stop paying for news content in Australia.