FACEBOOK has been slammed for “gravely undermining press freedom” when it blocked access to Australian news sites today.

The social media behemoth dramatically escalated its confrontation with the country over a new law requiring it and Google to pay news publishers for content overnight on Wednesday, shutting down Facebook pages belonging to media companies — and many more besides.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison denounced the “arrogant” decision to “unfriend Australia,” while Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the crackdown illustrated the “immense market power of these media digital giants.”