Facebook is in a strong position to negotiate the government’s media code

Facebook’s Australian users were undoubtedly upset this week, but for a tech giant trying to prevent a costly Australian initiative becoming an exponentially more expensive international norm, considerations of profit are likely to outweigh popularity.

The company is probably willing to wear a backlash Down Under if it means stopping other countries following Australia’s lead and forcing it to pay media companies for journalistic content.

Nonetheless, for any country that may be seriously considering following the path being forged by Australia, the popularity of Facebook versus that of the Morrison government will be of some interest.

Popular causes are far more attractive than losing battles for most politicians, so they will be keen…