The recent disappearances of three men in Smiths Falls, Ontario, have sparked fears of a potential serial killer, driven by a lack of reliable information. Community member Kelley Denham noted that rumors have escalated as people sought answers amidst the distressing scenario. The situation was worsened by Meta's block of news access on social media in Canada, limiting reliable news sources. Additionally, the local Metroland Media Group ceased the print version of the Smiths Falls Record News, further diminishing access to trustworthy information, leading to misinformation in the community.
Some residents "absolutely convinced themselves that there was a serial killer on the loose," she says.
In August 2023, in response to the federal government's Online News Act, Meta blocked access to news on Facebook and Instagram for users in Canada.
"Everyone's used to the stuff that's replaced actual news in their feeds," she says.
The company announced on September 15, 2023, that its seventy-odd community newspapers would publish news online only.
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