Australia to push ahead with media law despite Facebook blackout

US, Canada, Britain and India back Australia as analysts warn platform’s hardball tactics could backfire.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised on Friday to press ahead with a new law to force Facebook to pay media organisations for their content after a news blackout triggered outrage not only in Australia but in other countries where governments are considering similar laws. Facebook stopped its 13 million Australian users from viewing and sharing news on Thursday, stripping the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets of content in a sharp escalation of a dispute over Australia’s plan to force technology giants to pay publishers for their content. The blackout also erased content on the pages of emergency services, health authorities and non-profit organisations, adding to the outrage.