Early Thursday morning, Facebook acted swiftly in response to proposed laws that would force tech companies to pay Australian media companies for news content.

Australians awoke to empty feeds, as major publishers, including the Katherine Times, and even some emergency and government services such as the Bureau of Meteorology, were blocked from sharing content.

"We are outraged that access to First Nations voices has been limited in this way," Ms West said.

"First Nations media services are not the same as commercial outlets and should not be negatively impacted by an industry wide response to corporate interests."

The peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, NATSILS, was one of the many non-media organisations caught up in the ban.

In a post to social media, the service said the blanket ban was a human rights issue: "This is how we connect with community."

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service said the ban reinforced systemic discrimination and called on Facebook to immediately lift all blocks.

Nerita Waight, chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service said she was disappointed the Morrison Government had taken a "hard position in this battle" without considering the impacts on marginalised groups - especially as Australia prepares to roll out mass COVID-19 vaccinations to Indigenous groups living in remote communities.

"Facebook's actions [yesterday] were racist. They must immediately remove all bans and put more thought into their future political actions," she said.

"Aboriginal people are always sacrificed in these political battles and all sides should feel great shame and guarantee to ensure the voices of Aboriginal people and marginalised groups are properly involved in the future.

"The Prime Minister gave a speech last week on the anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations. He made many promises about doing better. Hopefully, his government will fulfill that promise and manage this issue with greater awareness and engagement."