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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Nick Evershed and Josh Taylor

‘News on Facebook is dead’: memes replace Australian media posts as Meta turns off the tap

Facebook Meta Australia United States Guardian Australia RMIT
Illustration photo shows the Facebook icon on a smartphone in front of an Australian flag
Meta argues that news makes up just 3% of what its users engage with, but this appears to be by design, Guardian Australia analysis finds. Photograph: Andre M Chang/Zuma Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

Meta has refused to enter into new deals with Australian media publishers for the use of their content on Facebook, leading to fears it may again implement a ban on news content appearing on the platform. But an analysis of Facebook data suggests engagement with posts from news organisations is already at an all-time low, as memes fill the space.

Meta has argued that news makes up just 3% of what people engage with on its services.

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