Photo: ReutersTreasurer Josh Frydenberg will have another phone conversation with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to try to resolve issues around the government's media bargaining code. In text message exchanges with Mr Zuckerberg, he expressed disappointment at Facebook's "unnecessary and heavy-handed" blackout of Australian news and information. Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Facebook as arrogant for shutting down emergency services and community pages in its Australian blackout. Facebook claimed it had no choice but to shut health and emergency services pages down, arguing the bargaining code was poorly worded. The media bargaining code is before the Senate after clearing the lower house.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 18, 2021 22:18 UTC