Australia has no plans to change media law – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

The law is expected to be passed by the end of the week, despite strong opposition from the technology giants, writes Reuters.

Facebook blocked the sharing of news from Australian media on Thursday last week in response to the bill.

The blockade also affected public information about the coronary vaccine.

The Australian Ministry of Health responded on Sunday by stopping all paid advertising on Facebook, writes the broadcaster ABC News Australia.

Negotiated this weekend

Australian authorities and the social media giant have negotiated over the weekend, but the law will not be changed, says Trade Minister Simon Birmingham to the broadcaster ABC.

– The law as it stands ensures that Australian news organizations can and should be paid for content in a fair way, says Birmingham.

On Monday, it is up for debate in the Australian Senate, after it was passed in the lower house last week. Facebook has so far not commented on the case on Monday.

Several countries can follow up

Both Google and Facebook have fought against the bill, but last week Google signed an agreement with several news companies in Australia. Among them is Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which is one of the largest media groups in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

– There is no reason why Facebook can not do the same, says Australia’s Minister of Trade.

Several internet giants have fought against the Australian bill, which is the first of its kind in the world.

The fear is that more countries will follow Australia, that it may set a global precedent that could damage their business model and force major changes.