Former CNN and NBC News anchor Campbell Brown is leaving her role as Meta’s vice president of media partnerships, the company announced on Tuesday. Brown, who joined the social media giant in 2017, will remain as a consultant for the company formerly known as Facebook.
Meta’s changing relationship with news publishers
Brown’s departure comes as Meta is moving away from promoting news content on its platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, and focusing more on entertainment and short-form video features like Reels and Watch. The company has faced criticism for its handling of misinformation, censorship, and content moderation, as well as its impact on the news industry.
Meta has also clashed with several governments over regulations that require tech platforms to pay fees to news outlets for displaying their content. In February, Meta temporarily blocked users in Australia from accessing or sharing news on its platforms in response to a proposed law that would force it to negotiate with publishers. The company later reached deals with some Australian media companies after the government agreed to amend the law.
More recently, Meta removed access to news in Canada via its Facebook and Instagram apps over disagreements with a similar law in the country. The company said the law is “based on the incorrect premise that Meta benefits unfairly from news content shared on our platforms.”
Brown’s legacy at Meta
Brown, who spent 14 years as a journalist and anchor at CNN and NBC News, was hired by Meta in 2017 to oversee its partnerships with news publishers. She was responsible for developing initiatives such as Facebook News, a dedicated tab that featured curated news stories from various sources, and Facebook Journalism Project, a program that supported local news outlets and journalists.
Brown also acted as a liaison between Meta and the news industry, addressing their concerns and frustrations with the company’s policies and algorithms. She defended Meta’s role in supporting journalism and democracy, while acknowledging its challenges and shortcomings.
In an internal memo to her team, Brown said she was proud of the work they had done together and thanked them for their dedication. She also expressed optimism about Meta’s future and its potential to create positive social impact.
“I believe deeply in this company and its mission,” she wrote. “I have seen firsthand the good we can do in the world when we get it right. And I know we will continue to get better.”
What’s next for Meta and news?
Meta said Brown’s team will be incorporated into another group that handles media and sports partnerships development and operations. The company did not name a successor for Brown’s position, but said it would continue to work with news publishers and support quality journalism.
“Media and sports partnerships continue to be a priority for Meta and its apps, and we look forward to working with Campbell in her new capacity as a consultant,” a Meta spokesperson said.
However, some analysts and observers have questioned Meta’s commitment to news, especially after it announced last month that it would “deprecate” its Facebook News tab in early December for users in the U.K., France, and Germany. The company said the decision was part of an ongoing effort to better align its investments with its products and services that people value the most.
Meta has also been investing heavily in its Reels short-video feature to compete with TikTok, which has been attracting more users and advertisers. The company said Reels is one of its fastest-growing products and has seen strong engagement from creators and consumers.
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also indicated that the company is shifting its focus to the metaverse, a virtual environment where people can interact through digital avatars. He said the metaverse will be the next frontier of social media and will create new opportunities for businesses and creators.
