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A representative of the BC government has said he “can’t think of an issue that pisses me off more” than Meta’s ban on news in Canada.
Ravi Parmar, the parliamentary secretary for international credentials, told NowMedia it’s “completely unacceptable” that the company has prevented local media in BC from posting stories on Facebook and Instagram.
He joins BC Interior MP Dan Albas, BC United Leader Kevin Falcon and Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad in criticizing the news blackout caused by the federal government’s Online News Act.
Last year, Premier David Eby accused Meta of putting profits before public safety in a blistering attack on the American social media firm. He also pledged to end government advertising on Meta platforms.
Earlier this week, however, Eby praised Meta after the firm agreed to discuss kids’ safety with the Province.
The premier also said Meta had committed to working with the Province to “amplify” what he called “official information” about the likes of wildfires.
NowMedia has attempted to reach Eby several times this week to ask whether he also discussed the ban on news with Meta, or if he has a plan to lobby the company to permit news during wildfire season. His press team has not responded.
But unlike his boss, Parmar was very clear about Meta’s ban on news.
He told NowMedia that he watched “in horror” last year as the Okanagan burned and that he remains fearful this summer could be “the worst wildfire season on record.”
“We have such hardworking men and women on the ground putting their lives at risk to be able to protect our communities,” he said.
Photo credit: NowMedia
BC was devastated by wildfires last year.
“And here you have a bunch of people [Meta], I don't know where they exist. They're probably not even here in Canada – they're probably in New York in their big fancy offices – telling people that KelownaNow and other important local outlets that are so rooted in their communities can't share valuable information.”
The MLA, who represents the Vancouver Island riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca, said he’s furious about the situation – and that Eby is, too.
“I can't think of an issue that pisses me off more, and the premier as well, and that's why the premier has taken Meta, TikTok, Instagram, X, or Twitter or whatever they call it these days, to task on this issue.”
Parmar highlighted Bill 12 – legislation the Province said would make the internet safer for children – and said BC is “leading the world on this.”
Photo credit: 123RF
He said the “table” the government is at with social media firms to discuss internet safety for kids is “also addressing issues [about] local outlets who provide so much valuable information on the ground having the ability to be able to share that information in the case of emergency disasters like a wildfire.”
“I'm really hopeful and I'm optimistic we're going to be able to make some progress on this,” he added.
“And we're going to continue to hold them accountable because what happened last year was completely unacceptable and we're going to have to find ways to be able to support you folks to communicate out with people while still holding Meta and all of these others accountable.”
Meta has not responded to numerous attempts by NowMedia to arrange an interview.
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