Media Technology Monitor (MTM) has released a new report looking at the impact of Meta’s news ban on Facebook and Instagram in Canada. The report looks at news consumption among online Canadians following the passage of Bill C-18, the Online News Act. It found that the most popular source among Canadians for online news are Canadian news broadcasters. In light of news being unavailable on Meta platforms, nearly three in 10 (29%) Canadians say they are using the websites or apps of Canadian news organizations more. While MTM found that traditional outlets like TV and radio are being used more for news content, 18 to 34 year olds are looking more to YouTube and other social networking platforms to get their content. Read more here.
CBC/Radio-Canada, RTBF (Belgium), SRG SSR (Switzerland) and ZDF (Germany), in collaboration with the nonprofit organization New_ Public, have unveiled test concepts of possible solutions to transform how their websites, apps and other digital platforms are used for public connection and conversation. Following the launch of the Public Spaces Incubator last year, more than 100 prototypes were developed and feedback sought from stakeholders in Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Those test concepts include a Comments Slider where users can submit a response to a question along a spectrum, beyond the typical Upvote/Downvote or Like/Dislike, to find common ground with others across differences in opinion. A panel discussion on Public Space Incubator’s progress will take place May 27 at re:publica 2024 Berlin.
Vice Media has announced a joint venture with Nashville-based Savage Ventures to relaunch its digital properties, including Vice.com, Munchies, Motherboard and Noisey. According to a report by Axios, the deal marks Vice Media’s first move to substantially re-invest in its digital brands following its bankruptcy filing last May and subsequent rounds of layoffs, culminating in Vice.com ceasing publishing in February. The joint venture will also relaunch Vice’s social media channels, but does not include the digital assets of Vice News.
