National Desk, 1st March: In early April 2024, Facebook will be removing the News Tab from its platform in the US and Australia as part of an impending change. This decision follows Facebook’s announcement in September 2023 to discontinue the News feature in the UK, France, and Germany.
The move is aimed at realigning Facebook’s investments with the goods and services that consumers find most valuable. Facebook noted a significant decrease in user engagement with Facebook News in the US and Australia, with a decrease of more than 80% recorded last year. Users are reportedly more inclined to interact with others and explore new hobbies on the network rather than read news or political items.
Despite the removal of the News Tab, users will still be able to access news stories via links published on Facebook. News publishers will retain access to their accounts and Pages, allowing them to post links to their stories and redirect readers to their websites. Additionally, publishers can utilize tools like Reels and the advertisements system to reach a larger audience and increase traffic to their platforms while retaining 100% of the revenue earned from outbound links on Facebook.
While contracts in the US and the UK have already ended, existing agreements with publishers in Australia, France, and Germany remain unaffected. Facebook clarified that it will not pursue new business partnerships for traditional news content in these countries, nor will it introduce new Facebook products targeted directly at news publishers.
Despite these changes, Facebook reaffirmed its commitment to providing users with trustworthy information on its services. The company collaborates with independent fact-checkers recognized by organizations like the International Fact-Checking Network to combat the spread of false information. Facebook has invested over $150 million in fact-checking initiatives since 2016 and plans to continue supporting this field.
With the removal of the News Tab, Facebook aims to prioritize user engagement and tailor its services to individual interests. However, the impact of this decision on how news information is consumed on the platform and in the media at large remains to be seen.
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