Facebook was revealed to have made a $1 billion pledge in news investment for the next three years. Mark Zuckerberg’s company made the announcement just a day after its dispute with the Australian government over news payments has finally ended.
Facebook’s pledge to support journalism
Reuters reported that Facebook’s commitment to the media industry follows Google’s similar investment in 2020, around the time when tech firms have come under scrutiny over their business model and the spread of misinformation or fake news on their respective platforms.
Moreover, Facebook stated that since 2018, Facebook has already invested a total of $600 million in the news media industry. The social media company further shared that it is currently negotiating with Germany and France’s local news publishers to come up with a deal for content payment schemes.
In any case, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s global affairs head, said that the company is very willing to bankroll journalism as long as there will be no concerns with the mandated payment terms.
"Facebook is more than willing to partner with news publishers," Channel News Asia quoted as saying in a statement after the stand-off with Australia this week has been resolved. "We absolutely recognize quality journalism is at the heart of how open societies function - informing and empowering citizens and holding the powerful to account."
The dispute between FB and the Australian officials finally concluded on Tuesday after the Aussies amended its proposed media bargaining code. Facebook also lifted its ban and restored Australian news pages.
Australia passes new media law
It is now certain that Facebook, Google, and other digital platforms have to pay for news content after the new media code has been approved and passed today. The policy was signed after the officials made last-minute changes agreed on by Facebook.
The passing of the code was confirmed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg via Twitter a few hours earlier. The bill is not officially called the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code.
“The Morrison Government’s world-leading news media bargaining code has just passed the Parliament,” he tweeted. “This is a significant milestone.”


Niigata Set to Approve Restart of Japan’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Major Energy Shift
FTC Praises Instacart for Ending AI Pricing Tests After $60M Settlement
Mexico Antitrust Review of Viva Aerobus–Volaris Deal Signals Growth for Airline Sector
Sanofi to Acquire Dynavax in $2.2 Billion Deal to Strengthen Vaccines Portfolio
DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing
South Korean Court Clears Korea Zinc’s $7.4 Billion U.S. Smelter Project, Shares Surge
Moore Threads Unveils New GPUs, Fuels Optimism Around China’s AI Chip Ambitions
FDA Approves Mitapivat for Anemia in Thalassemia Patients
Hanwha Signals Readiness to Build Nuclear-Powered Submarines at Philly Shipyard for U.S. Navy
BP Nears $10 Billion Castrol Stake Sale to Stonepeak
Hyundai Recalls Over 51,000 Vehicles in the U.S. Due to Fire Risk From Trailer Wiring Issue
Waymo Plans Safety and Emergency Response Upgrades After San Francisco Robotaxi Disruptions
Nvidia to Acquire Groq in $20 Billion Deal to Boost AI Chip Dominance
ByteDance Plans Massive AI Investment in 2026 to Close Gap With U.S. Tech Giants
Boeing Wins $2.04B U.S. Air Force Contract for B-52 Engine Replacement Program
AstraZeneca’s LATIFY Phase III Trial of Ceralasertib Misses Primary Endpoint in Lung Cancer Study
BlackRock-Backed Global Ports Deal Faces Uncertainty Amid Cosco Demands 



