Facebook has made good on its threat to ban Australians from seeing or posting news content on its site in response to the federal government’s proposed news media code. As of Thursday morning, news publishers were unable to post content on pages, while articles were also blocked from being shared. In implementing its new ban, the social media giant also blocked a number of government departments, charities and its own page. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg lambasted the company, saying the social media giant's 'actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed, and they will damage its reputation here in Australia'

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Facebook blocks Australian users and publishers from viewing or sharing news ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/18/facebook-to-restrict-australian-users-sharing-news-content

Facebook's botched Australia news ban hits health departments, charities and its own pages ► https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/18/facebook-blocks-health-departments-charities-and-its-own-pages-in-botched-australia-news-ban

Australia politics live: 'Facebook was wrong' to block pages in news ban, Josh Frydenberg says – question time ► https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/feb/18/australian-politics-facebook-google-media-bargaining-code-victoria-lockdown-melbourne-daniel-andrews-masks-scott-morrison-brittany-higgins-rape-allegations-linda-reynolds

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