Canadian telecommunications and media company Quebecor (TSX:QBR.B) is pulling its advertising from Facebook and Instagram over Meta’s decision to block all Canadian journalistic content on its platforms.
“Any move by Meta to circumvent Canadian law, block news for its users or discriminate against Canadian media content on its platforms, through its algorithms or otherwise, cannot be tolerated,” Quebecor (TSX:QBR.B) said in a statement.
“In view of Meta’s categorical refusal to enter into negotiations, Quebecor (TSX:QBR.B) announces that, effective immediately and until further notice, it is withdrawing all advertising by its subsidiaries and business units from Facebook and Instagram.”
Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta confirmed in late June that it would be removing all Canadian news content from its platforms in response to the Online News Act (Bill C-18), a law which would require tech companies to pay news outlets for their use of journalism content.
Google has followed suit, last week announcing that it would no longer be displaying news links in Canada due to Bill C-18.
Additionally, Quebecor called on other businesses to protest Meta’s actions with their advertising dollars.
“Quebecor also calls on businesses, governments and institutions to make clear their disagreement with Meta’s affront to public policy and the news media through their advertising placement choices,” it wrote.
“This high-handed decision is an abuse of Meta’s dominant position, particularly in the Canadian online advertising market, and violates the basic tenets of any society that believes in the importance of reliable, trustworthy news coverage for a healthy democracy.”
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
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