Facebook signs deals with 3 Australian news publishers, Google in close deals with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

The commercial agreements are subject to the signing of full agreements within the next 60 days, a Facebook statement said.

Facebook announced on Friday preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers, a day after the Parliament passed a law that would make the digital giants pay for news.

Facebook ended a one-week blackout of Australian news on its popular social media site which reflected easing tensions between the US company and the Australian government.

Facebook said it had signed partnership agreements with Schwartz Media, Solstice Media, and Private Media. The trio own a mix of publications, including weekly newspapers, online magazines, and specialist periodicals.

The commercial agreements are subject to the signing of full agreements within the next 60 days, a Facebook statement said.

“These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook,” the statement said.

The non-binding agreements allay some fears that small Australian publishers would be left out of revenue-sharing deals with Facebook and Google. “It's never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press,” said Schwartz Media Chief Executive Rebecca Costello.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp has said it was also in talks with Facebook.

Google, the only other digital giant targeted by the legislation, has already struck content licensing deals, or is close to deals, with some of Australia’s biggest news publishers including Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and Seven West Media.

News Corp. owns most of Australia’s major newspapers, and some analysts argue the US-based international media empire is the driver for the conservative Australian government making Facebook and Google pay. News Corp. has announced a wide-ranging deal with Google covering operations in the United States and Britain as well as Australia.

(With inputs from agencies)