Facebook launched its “long-rumored plan to directly host articles from news organizations … concluding months of delicate negotiations between the Internet giant and publishers that covet its huge audience but fear its growing power,” reported the New York Times.

Nine media companies, including NBC News and The New York Times, agreed to the deal, “despite concerns that their participation could eventually undermine their own businesses”, continued the Times story, which added that the program will begin with a few articles, but is expected to expand quickly. Users of iPhones will see glossy cover videos and photos tagged with map coordinates. “Most important for impatient smartphone users, the company says, the so-called instant articles will load up to 10 times faster than they normally would since readers stay on Facebook rather than follow a link to another site,” stated the Time report.