The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Aug. 19, edition that residents of the Northwest Territories are feeling the effect of the news vacuum on Meta's Facebook as they flee communities that are under threat by wildfires. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that industry observers, however, say the regional media landscape was barren long before Meta pulled news content from its platforms in Canada, and that the current situation highlights a long-standing dearth of local news coverage. Up to 50 per cent of Canadians use Facebook to find out what is happening in cities and towns across the country, said Carleton University media professor Dwayne Winseck. Meta's decision to block news in Canada is irresponsible, especially in times of crisis, he said. "It's reprehensible." An emergency situation such as the fires in the Northwest Territories underscores the importance of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in disseminating news, Prof. Winseck said. "When these pathways to news are brutally shut down, as they have been with Meta, banning the distribution and sharing of news on its services here in Canada, we are right to be very concerned."