'Disgusting': Karl Stefanovic blasts Facebook on Today

·Lifestyle & Entertainment Producer

19 February 2021 at 7:40 pm·4-min read

Karl Stefanovic has unleashed on Facebook after their shocking decision to axe Aussie news services form their platform with no notice on Thursday.

In an interview with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Today about the lead up tho the fatal 'switch off' that saw organisations from news sites like Yahoo, to emergency services' pages and links blocked for all Australian users.

Karl Stefanovic Deborah Knight Facebook Today segment — Karl let rip at Facebook over their sudden ban of Aussie news sites. Photo: Nine

"What was the tone of it [your conversation]. Did you tell him where to go?' Karl asked the treasurer.

Mr Frydenberg said the talks had been 'cordial' but that fresh discussions were underway after the unexpected decision by the social media giant to flick the switch.

"What he [Zuckerberg] did yesterday, he treated us like chumps and we need to be respected more than that. It's disgusting,' Karl insisted, prompting the treasurer to whole-heartedly agree.

"He endangered public safety, in the middle of a pandemic, people weren't able to get access to information about the vaccines," Mr Frydenberg confirmed.

Karl Stefanovic Deborah Knight Josh Frydenberg discuss Facebook ban — Karl and Mr Frydenberg agreed Facebook had endangered Aussies by blocking access to information during a pandemic. Photo: Nine

Facebook shocked Australia on Thursday, when we woke up to find they had made the snap decision overnight to ban all local and international news from being shared among Aussie audiences.

The decision was made in response to the Government's proposed Media Bargaining Code, which tried to force tech giants such as Google and Facebook to pay for media content.

Instead, Facebook simply decided to remove all Australian news links from the site entirely, which means no one, including you, can share local stories with your friends, family or groups any more.

The social media giant said in a blog post the move was in response to the federal government's proposed legislation to create a news media bargaining code.

Facebook bans Australian news content — Facebook explained their decision in a blog post. Photo: AP

"The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content," Facebook said.

"It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter."

Where to find Yahoo now

While it was a strange feeling to wake up to, this actually isn't the end of the world for Aussie news outlets – and there are still plenty of other ways to access your favourite content from us online.

Here’s where you can still find the best content from Yahoo Lifestyle:

DAILY NEWSLETTER straight to your inbox

Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter and never miss a thing! It is your go-to for reality TV, royal news, beauty, travel, health, fashion and hot cult buys. If it's trending, we've got it covered. Sign up here.

TWITTER

Guess it's time to crack open our MySpace and Bebo accounts...
— Yahoo Lifestyle Australia (@YLifestyleAu) February 17, 2021

Our Facebook may be down but you can still find all the latest entertainment, royal, and lifestyle news from us on Twitter.

Follow us here: Yahoo Lifestyle Australia Twitter

INSTAGRAM

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yahoo Lifestyle Australia (@yahoolifestyleau)

We've also got you covered on our Instagram page!

Follow us here: Yahoo Lifestyle Australia Instagram

GOOGLE

You'll still be able to find us on Google when you search 'Yahoo Lifestyle Australia' and it will take you straight to our homepage. Our stories will also feature on Google News and Google Discover. And if you simply Google some of your favourite topics like 'Married at First Sight news', 'royal news', or 'best hacks', our stories will also appear.

You can search for us here: Google 'Yahoo Lifestyle Australia'

YAHOO LIFESTYLE AUSTRALIA HOMEPAGE

You can also bookmark our direct homepage to check on what's making news each day.

Bookmark our homepage here: Yahoo Lifestyle Australia

FLIPBOARD

Yahoo Australia is also on Flipboard so you can stay up to date with the latest in news, lifestyle, sport and finance. Flipboard is a newsreader and social app that lets you follow people, topics, and publications important to you - it comes standard on many Samsung phones but you can also download the app or find it online.

Find us on Flipboard here: Yahoo Australia Flipboard

TIKTOK

We've even got a banger Yahoo Australia TikTok account.

Follow us on TikTok here: Yahoo Australia TikTok

BuzzFeed
This Is One Unexpected Sign Of Colon Cancer That Doctors Urge People Not To Ignore
This symptom is often dismissed, which is why it's so important to recognize.
Yahoo News Australia
Aussie gardener's revenge on driver over frustrating parking move
The gardener's frustration prompted immediate action.
Yahoo Sport Australia
Travis Head makes mockery of 'pathetic' India move as Steve Smith passes Aussie cricket legend
India's only saving grace might be the bad weather forecast for Brisbane. Read more here.
Yahoo Sport Australia
Matthew Hayden calls out Pat Cummins over questionable move that 'plays into India's hands'
It looks like Australia will have little chance to win the third Test. Read more here.
NewsWire
‘Nuts cracked’: Life for Bali 9 after release
A religious leader with a close connection to the Bali Nine says it’s not going to be an “easy road” for the convicted drug smugglers back in Australia.
The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: North Korean forces kill Russian troops as Putin loses ‘1,000 soldiers’ in past day
Ukrainian intelligence claimed a language barrier between Russians and North Koreans led to friendly fire
Yahoo Finance AU
Major Centrelink payment change coming into effect this week: ‘No longer accept’
Services Australia will no longer accept this payment method. Here's what you need to know.
Parade
Katy Perry, 40, Shows Off Her Curves in Skintight Metallic Gown: ‘She Doesn’t Age’
The pop star kept the metallic look in her second fashion pick for the 2024 Jingle Ball.
Sky News
Jets scream overhead and soldiers drop down into gun turrets - outside Russia's military base in Syria
The Russians have been permanently based here since 2017, propping up the Assad regime and overseeing the war against their many opponents. For now, though, what we do know, is that Russian convoys are withdrawing from bases across Syria and are heading for the Mediterranean Coast. On a dusty road near the main Russian entrance to Hmeimim air base near Latakia, I could see a convoy of Russian military vehicles trundling their way past the Russian-named shops.
Yahoo Lifestyle
Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod's savage swipe at co-star: 'Who'
David Woiwod shared his honest thoughts about co-hosting alongside Monique Wright while taking a lie detector test on live TV. Read more.
HuffPost
I Was A Virgin At 59. I Chose A Controversial Way To Have Sex — And I Couldn't Be Happier.
"I want to touch and be touched by such a man. I think that you are my only chance at that."
Yahoo Lifestyle
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky under fire for new family member: 'No resolution in sight'
Fans aren't happy with Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's family announcement after they introduced their new dog.
Evening Standard
North Korean troops 'suffer heavy losses and kill eight in friendly fire blunder' in Vladimir Putin war
Ukrainian drones were also reported to have ‘swarmed a North Korean position’ in the Kursk region of Russia
The Daily Beast
Mitt Romney Makes Bold Prediction for 2028 GOP Presidential Nominee
Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has revealed who he believes is destined to lead the GOP into the next election in 2028. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union Sunday, the Utah senator said he believes Vice President-elect JD Vance will take over the mantle from Donald Trump. “If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028 I think it’d be JD, Vance,” Romney said. “He’s smart, well-spoken, part of the MAGA movement.”
The Daily Beast
Steve Bannon Is Already Claiming Trump Can Run Again in 2028
Steve Bannon is pushing Donald Trump to consider a third presidential term in 2028. The controversial political strategist suggested the two-term limit on U.S. presidents doesn’t count in Trump’s case because his terms in office were not consecutive. “I don’t know, maybe we do it again in ’28,” Bannon told the New York Young Republican Club Sunday. “Are you guys up for that,” he added to a loud burst of applause. “Trump ’28, come on, man!”
HuffPost
MSNBC Host Explains Exactly Why Trump Is Stacking Second Term With ‘Political Losers’
It's part of a "striking pattern," said Ayman Mohyeldin.
NewsWire
Deadly find in shopping centre restaurant
Wild footage has captured the moment a lucky snake catcher pulled one of the country’s deadliest snakes from a shopping centre restaurant.
BuzzFeed
"I Can't Emphasize Enough How Filthy Some Of These People Are": 39 Hollywood Secrets People Have Learned From Working With Celebs
"The most striking thing to me was how goddamn awkward they tended to be. Like, they seemed so unsure of how to speak normally to a non-famous person."
CNN
Xi brought down powerful rivals in the military. Now he’s going after his own men
In the early years of Xi Jinping’s war on corruption, the Chinese leader consolidated control over the world’s largest military by taking down powerful generals from rival factions and replacing them with allies and proteges loyal to himself.
Australian Associated Press
Nation's youngest murderer could walk free yet again
Australia's youngest convicted murderer, who killed a toddler he kidnapped, has been handed another jail term for approaching a mother and her child.

'Disgusting': Karl Stefanovic blasts Facebook on Today

RELATED:

Where to find Yahoo now

DAILY NEWSLETTER straight to your inbox

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

GOOGLE

YAHOO LIFESTYLE AUSTRALIA HOMEPAGE

FLIPBOARD

TIKTOK

Latest stories

This Is One Unexpected Sign Of Colon Cancer That Doctors Urge People Not To Ignore

Aussie gardener's revenge on driver over frustrating parking move

Travis Head makes mockery of 'pathetic' India move as Steve Smith passes Aussie cricket legend

Matthew Hayden calls out Pat Cummins over questionable move that 'plays into India's hands'

‘Nuts cracked’: Life for Bali 9 after release

Ukraine-Russia war latest: North Korean forces kill Russian troops as Putin loses ‘1,000 soldiers’ in past day

Major Centrelink payment change coming into effect this week: ‘No longer accept’

Katy Perry, 40, Shows Off Her Curves in Skintight Metallic Gown: ‘She Doesn’t Age’

Jets scream overhead and soldiers drop down into gun turrets - outside Russia's military base in Syria

Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod's savage swipe at co-star: 'Who'

I Was A Virgin At 59. I Chose A Controversial Way To Have Sex — And I Couldn't Be Happier.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky under fire for new family member: 'No resolution in sight'

North Korean troops 'suffer heavy losses and kill eight in friendly fire blunder' in Vladimir Putin war

Mitt Romney Makes Bold Prediction for 2028 GOP Presidential Nominee

Steve Bannon Is Already Claiming Trump Can Run Again in 2028

MSNBC Host Explains Exactly Why Trump Is Stacking Second Term With ‘Political Losers’

Deadly find in shopping centre restaurant

"I Can't Emphasize Enough How Filthy Some Of These People Are": 39 Hollywood Secrets People Have Learned From Working With Celebs

Xi brought down powerful rivals in the military. Now he’s going after his own men

Nation's youngest murderer could walk free yet again