The head of News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, has spoken out against Facebook’s recent news feed changes – saying the social network should start paying publishers a small fee for featuring their content on its site.

Murdoch’s comments come just after Facebook announced it would be asking users which publishers they believe are trustworthy and, in turn, pushing these ‘trusted sources’ further up the new more social-focused news feed.

“The time has come to consider a different route,” said Murdoch in a statement. “If Facebook wants to recognise ‘trusted’ publishers then it should pay those publishers a carriage fee similar to the model adopted by cable companies. The publishers are obviously enhancing the value and integrity of Facebook through their news and content but are not being adequately rewarded for those services. Carriage payments would have a minor impact on Facebook’s profits but a major impact on the prospects for publishers and journalists.”

Meanwhile, Murdoch and 21^st Century Fox continue to tussle with the UK government over its proposed acquisition of Sky, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) saying the deal would not be in the public interest.

The CMA says this would be because the Murdoch’s would have too much control over the news agenda in the UK – funny when Murdoch also mentioned in his Facebook statement that the lack of transparency “should concern publishers and those wary of political bias at these powerful platforms”.  

Interestingly, however, even if Fox completes the acquisition of Sky, Murdoch may not ever be in-charge of the satellite and telecoms company. This is because Sky will likely transfer over into Disney’s hands once it completes the purchase of Fox.