Yellowknife Uses Social Media to Navigate News Ban Amid Wildfires
Amidst the urgency of a mass evacuation due to approaching wildfires, Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, turned to Facebook to share vital information. The city faced a challenge as Facebook had blocked news articles on its platform in response to a new Canadian law requiring tech companies to pay for using news content. To work around this, Yellowknife directed residents to search for information on a search engine, underlining the complications created by the news ban.
Facebook’s parent company, Meta, initiated the ban in response to the Online News Act, a law passed by Canadian lawmakers in June. The law mandates social media platforms like Meta and search engines such as Google to negotiate with news publishers for content licensing. Despite Meta’s concerns, the law is set to take effect in December. Consequently, Canadian and international news content on Facebook and Instagram is no longer visible to users in Canada.
While more than 65,000 people marked themselves safe from the wildfires using Facebook’s Safety Check tool, the news ban’s timing is unfortunate, particularly given Canada’s worst wildfire season on record. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Facebook for prioritizing corporate profits over ensuring timely news access. Users are resorting to workarounds like typing full URLs, taking screenshots, and seeking information elsewhere due to the ban’s impact.
Ollie Williams, news editor for Cabin Radio, expressed frustration with the ban’s consequences, leading the station to cease using Facebook and Instagram. Others have also found alternatives to stay informed, including going directly to news websites. Despite the challenges, online news platforms like Cabin Radio have seen increased traffic as they deliver crucial updates about the wildfires and evacuations.
For organizations like Parachutes for Pets, the ban posed difficulties in sharing verified information. Without the ability to include news articles, conveying important announcements became problematic, leading to confusion among volunteers. Similarly, the Central Okanagan Food Bank expressed concern about the ban’s potential long-term effects, as news outlets play a crucial role in crisis response.
As Yellowknife and other organizations adapt to the news ban, they emphasize the importance of unhindered information flow during critical times. While the ban’s impact is being felt, communities are finding ways to continue their work and share essential updates.