Local Canadian News Engagement Plummets by 58% Following Online News Act and Meta’s News Ban
One year after Meta’s Canadian news ban, the online engagement with local Canadian news has dropped by over 58%, while national news engagement has declined by 24%. The ban was Meta’s response to Canada’s Online News Act (Bill C-18), which required tech giants like Meta and Google to share more revenue with Canadian news outlets.
Impact of the Online News Act
The Online News Act, passed in June 2023, aimed to provide fair compensation to Canadian newsrooms for content shared on major digital platforms. However, Meta responded by blocking all news posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads for Canadian users, leading to a dramatic decline in online engagement with Canadian news.
Consequences for Local Journalism
Local news outlets have been hit the hardest, losing over 5 million engagements across various social media platforms. The sharp decline in visibility has contributed to the closure of 36 local news outlets across Canada in 2023 alone, further exacerbating the struggles of the local journalism industry.
Shift in News Consumption Patterns
Despite the ban, a majority of Canadians remain unaware of it, with 70% still using Facebook and Instagram as primary news sources. Meanwhile, TikTok has emerged as a growing platform for Canadian news, increasing its engagement by over one million.
The Future of Canadian News Online
With Meta showing no signs of lifting the ban and the Canadian government standing firm on the Online News Act, the future of Canadian news on social media remains uncertain. Local journalism, in particular, faces an uphill battle to regain its lost audience and adapt to the changing digital landscape.
