You may have noticed over the last few weeks that Richmond News stories are not popping up on your regular social feeds.
That’s because, for those unaware, Meta – which operates the likes of Facebook and Instagram – has banned all Canadian news links on their social media platforms.
The social media giant’s move is in response to the federal government’s introduction of the Online News Act, which forces such entities to pay to carry Canadian news links on their platforms.
Without getting into the details and the politics of the respective decisions, what it means is you will no longer see links to Richmond News stories on Meta’s sites.
The News, however, is used to rolling with the punches, be they pandemics, recessions or, even further back, the advent of the Internet itself.
This one is no different and, rest assured, the News is working even harder than ever to find ways to get our great local content to the people of Richmond.
The best way is, of course, to go directly to the source, here at Richmond-News.com, hover on the "News" tab and click "local. You can also bookmark the page, or sign up for our daily newsletter, which comes out at 8 a.m. to your email inbox.
Loyal readers, such as Grant McMillan, doesn’t need the newsletter delivered to his inbox, given that he’s a self-confessed “news junkie,” who always goes directly to the source.
“I never go on social media, due to the distortions and untruths,” McMillan told the News.
“I read a number of newspapers each day…I’m a bit of news junkie. One of them is the Richmond News and it’s a lot better than it was a few years ago, in my opinion.
“I think it has become adept at reaching out to the community in a number of ways.”
McMillan said he also reads the Vancouver Sun and even news from Israel and Mexico, adding that part of what he does for a living “relies on knowing what’s going on out there.”
And it’s not like McMillan is a technophobe or anything, claiming that he was one of the first people in the area to sign up for emails back in the day.
“I’m a huge Apple fan, but there is so much misinformation out there that is pure fiction. I always go directly to the source,” he added.
One of the other problems created by the Meta ban is the ability for the Richmond News to help police spread the word about the likes of missing persons, where time is often of the essence.
The News asked the RCMP how it is tackling the news link ban and was told by the RCMP national HQ that it “uses a variety of channels to communicate with the public about investigations and public safety issues.
“Social media is in addition to established methods, such as news releases and press conferences, to raise awareness, solicit assistance from the public in investigations and issue safety messages. We encourage all Canadians to check the RCMP’s website for official statements and verified information.”
The RCMP spokesperson added that they “regularly review social media networks and assess, on a case-by-case basis, if the platform will assist in our communications objectives.
“As these channels are owned by private companies, the terms of use and content curation mechanisms are within the control of platform.”
A reminder that if you want your local news directly from the source, Richmond-News.com, hover on the "News" tab and click "local." Also, bookmark this page and/or sign up for our daily newsletter.
