America’s News/Media Alliance has called a threat to remove news from Facebook if the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act is passed “undemocratic and unbecoming”.

The NMA cites experience in Australia where it says similar threats were made before a similar law was passed “resulting in countless jobs for local journalists”.

A statement by Facebook parent Meta this week said it would consider removing news from Facebook if the JCPA – which requires dominant tech platforms to compensate news publishers for use of their content – was passed.

“Facebook’s threat to take down news is undemocratic and unbecoming,” the NMA says. “As the tech platforms compensate news publishers around the world, it demonstrates there is a demand and economic value for news.

“These threats were attempted before the Australian government passed a similar law to compensate news outlets, played out unsuccessfully, and ultimately news publishers were paid. The Australian law resulted in countless jobs for local journalists and $140 million to news outlets, which translates to billions in the US.”