Facebook said on Friday that it had signed an agreement with three Australian news publishers one day after changes were made to a law requiring the tech giant to pay news companies to use their content.
Facebook signed letters of intent with Private Media, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media. The full deal is expected to be completed in 60 days.
“These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook,” the statement said.
Schwartz Media chief executive Rebecca Costello said the deal would help her company continue to produce independent journalism.
“It’s never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press,” Costello said.
The Australian Parliament passed a so-called News Media Bargaining Code. The final amendments, negotiated with Facebook, were made on Thursday.
In return for the changes, Facebook agreed to lift a six-day-old ban on Australians sharing any news on the platform. The ban also affected some government sites.
Access to Australian news sites did not appear to be fully restored until Friday.
With Post wires