In an unexpected twist, Facebook has announced that it will disable its dedicated news tab, known as Facebook News , in three European countries. This change, scheduled for December, raises questions about the role of social platforms in news distribution and the veracity of information.
Changes to Facebook News
Facebook has decided to disable Facebook News in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. This specialized news board will disappear at the beginning of December of this year. However, the company has clarified that users in these countries will continue to have access to news through their general feeds.
Impact for Users
For the average user, this change might go unnoticed. According to the company’s own data, news represents less than 3% of the content that users see in their feeds. Therefore, the news consumption experience on the platform may not be significantly altered.
Implications for Editors
News publishers will continue to have access to their Facebook accounts and pages, where they can post links to their articles. However, the disappearance of a space dedicated to news could affect the visibility and reach of its contents.
Facebook strategy
Facebook’s decision is part of a broader strategy to focus on what users value most, such as short videos. The company has decided not to enter into new commercial agreements for news content in these countries, which could be interpreted as a departure from its role in news distribution.
Fact Verification Initiatives
Despite this change, Facebook remains committed to fact-checking and fighting misinformation. The company has invested more than 100 million euros in fact verification programs since 2016 and plans to continue doing so.
The deactivation of Facebook News in Europe could be an indicator of how social platforms are reassessing their role in the news ecosystem. This change could have implications beyond the platform, affecting how information is consumed and valued in the digital age.
More information at about.fb.com
