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Digital Planet: Facebook reverses ban on news in Australia

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Facebook reverses ban on news in Australia

23/02/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, Facebook reverses ban on news in Australia

Facebook announces that it will restore and pay for news content in Australia

Facebook restores news content to its users in Australia, plus the first play scripted by AI and aquatic robotics that match the energy efficiency of their biological counterparts.

Tech giant Facebook blocked news content across its Australian platform last Thursday on account of a proposed law which would enforce some firms to pay news publishers for use and distribution of their information. Nearly a week later the government has agreed to amend the law and negotiate the value of this content. Tech reporter Angharad Yeo in Australia returns to the show to discuss the new law and how it could be seen as a test case for online regulation across the globe.  

Can AI be a playwright?
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Czech playwright Karel Čapek’s production R.U.R. in which the word ‘robot was first used, Prague's Švanda Theatre, working alongside theaitre.com, are set to present a play written entirely by AI, exploring the everyday life of a robot. Reporter Hannah Fisher speaks to Tomáš Studeník, Czech radical innovator, computational linguist Rudolf Rosa and drama expert David Košťák about their upcoming project set to air on 26th February. 

Robo Squid and Jellyfish
Engineers have developed a robotic squid that propels itself with pulses of water at the natural resonance of the robot.  By using the resonance frequency that the robot naturally has they increased its speed without increasing energy consumption – a trick used by a number of animals in nature.  Dr. Nicole Xu, who is researching and creating robotic jellyfish, is on the programme to explain how this technique could allow for much better exploration and monitoring of our oceans.

(Image credit: European Pressphoto Agency)


The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.

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Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz

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