Australia and Facebook in talks over sweeping news ban

Australia and Facebook are back in talks on how to implement paying for news content, following the social media giant removal of all Australian news content from its service. — REUTERS

Australia and Facebook held high-stakes talks Friday after the social media giant sparked global outrage by blacking out news for its Australian users, as Canberra insisted it wouldn't back down on a new law that would force the tech firm to pay for journalistic content.

From Thursday, Facebook has blanked out the pages of media outlets for Australian users and blocked them from sharing any news content, rather than submit to the proposed legislation.