A Facebook page that distributed important information to remote Aboriginal communities has been caught up in the social media giant’s moratorium on Australian news pages.
Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands general manager Richard King said the move was a blow to the outback area.
“We have recently had Telstra towers put throughout the lands and Facebook is a platform that the Anangu have really taken to,” Mr King said.
“Our constituents are really new to information technology and the way Facebook works – getting other groups involved and pulling people in – has caused a lot of our constituents to use that platform.
Mr King said APY had not been provided with any answers but was using the opportunity to review the organisation’s website and use of the platform.
“We were quite surprised because APY is not a media association at all,” he said.
“We don’t publish any news other than what’s happening on the lands.
“For us it’s a really good and quick way to get valid information out, but at the same time it’s a really quick way for people who are seeking to do mischief to get their info out too.
“It gives us now an opportunity to now look at a platform that both services our community and is appropriate for our community to use, but one that has more control and more vetting.”
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