Local news at risk

Local news is at risk after Meta announced it will stop paying Australian publishers for news content, according to Country Press Australia president and Gazette general manager Andrew Schreyer.
Mr Schreyer said Meta's announcement on Friday was a devastating blow to more than 230 regional, rural and outer suburban publications across the nation.
"There will be publishers who close the doors and won't be able to continue supporting their communities with news in the wake of this announcement," Mr Schreyer said. "These regional and local publishers are the major, and in most cases sole, providers of local public interest journalism in their communities."
"Sadly, jobs will definitely be lost as a result of Meta's decision, but it's hard to put a number on this," he said.
CPA stated an email from Meta early Friday afternoon advised its priorities had shifted and the Facebook News Tab would no longer be available in Australia. In a subsequent meeting, it was made clear that CPA's agreement with Meta would not be renewed.
"This is a devastating blow to our members who are party to the agreement," Mr Schreyer said. "All are publishers of regional and local public interest journalism."
"The most popular Facebook pages in most regional and rural communities is that of the local news publishing company, yet Meta says people don't go to Facebook for news or political content," he said.
"What about in times of bushfire and floods or when the chips are down and someone in the community needs help? Local experience would suggest otherwise."
Mr Schreyer called on the government to support the news industry and invoke the news media bargaining code.
"A democracy cannot function without a healthy news sector, and this is now heavily at risk in regional and local communities after Meta's decision," he said.
"It is important that the federal government responds swiftly to this decision and considers all possible action including designating Meta under the News Media Bargaining Code and other options available to them and the ACCC.
It is vital that news media is adequately compensated for the content that Facebook has been able to build their business from over many years and ensure a strong and robust news media industry which is vital for a healthy democracy," Mr Schreyer said.