The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

By The Canadian Press

Local TV stations ask regulator to force Meta to pay for posting some news content

Mar 19, 2026 | 11:52 AM

OTTAWA — Some local and independent TV stations are asking the federal broadcast regulator to start a process to force Meta to pay for allowing some news content on Facebook and Instagram.

They say despite Meta’s move in 2023 to pull news from its platforms in response to the Online News Act, some content remains available.

They point to examples of online posts that included news content, such as text and screenshots of stories and video clips.

The stations also say that in some cases they’ve seen their pages banned from Facebook or Instagram, while outlets they compete with have not.

The group argues Meta falls under the Online News Act because it allows some news content, and asked the CRTC to force the tech giant to enter into the bargaining process.

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The Liberal government has said it continues to be open to a deal to bring news back to Meta’s platforms.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press