As a result of the passage of the Online News Act in June – a new Canadian law requiring tech companies to compensate news publishers – Meta has blocked news content on Facebook, even during the life-threatening Yellowknife fires.

This isn’t Meta’s first resort to such tactics. Previously, the company temporarily halted news sharing in Australia, relenting after public outcry. This pattern of holding news hostage to avoid regulations showcases Meta’s disregard for news’s essential societal role, prioritizing profit over all else.

The urgency of access to accurate news cannot be overstated. By blocking news articles, Meta is making it harder for people living near the wildfires to access vital information. Add your name: Tell Meta to stop blocking news articles on Facebook in Canada.