'Time to reactivate MySpace': the day Australia woke up to a Facebook news blackout
by Calla Wahlquist from on (#5EAVJ)
Facebook users flocked to Twitter to complain about the ban, which also struck community pages, health departments, charities and politicians
Facebook blocks Australian users and publishers from viewing or sharing news
Blocking Australian news shows Facebook's pledge to fight misinformation is farcical
At 5.30am Australian east coast time, after months of threats and failed attempts to lobby the government over proposed new media laws, Facebook banned the sharing of news in Australia.
The first to notice were morning news producers. The main page of the national broadcaster, ABC, was down. Guardian Australia's page was also down. Australians trying to post links to news publishers on their personal Facebook pages received an error message.
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