17 hrs ago
US Challenges UK Plan to Promote 'Trustworthy' News Online
The UK is considering a plan to make news from certain “trustworthy” providers easier to find on social media.
The United States says this could threaten free speech.
It worries that the government, or a government-approved group, might decide which news organizations count as trustworthy.
If platforms promote favored outlets, other speakers could become much harder to reach.
The News Media Association also worries that the state could influence what people see.
It said eligibility should not depend on membership in a particular approved press regulator.
Journalist unions support making accurate news more visible.
They say social-media companies should also change their algorithms to reduce misinformation.
The US government has opposed the UK proposal to boost “trustworthy” news in social-media and video feeds.
Washington warned that government involvement in defining trustworthy outlets could enable viewpoint-based censorship and undermine free speech.
The plan could reduce the reach of independent journalists who do not meet government-approved credentials, the US said.
The News Media Association said the state should not decide which journalism the public sees and urged clear eligibility rules.
Journalist unions supported giving accurate reporting greater prominence but said changes to tech companies’ algorithms should address misinformation.
- Who
- The United Kingdom government, the United States government, UK publishers’ groups, and journalist unions are involved.
- What
- The UK is exploring legislation to make “trustworthy” news providers more prominent in social-media and video feeds.
- Where
- The proposal concerns social-media and video platforms in the United Kingdom, while the criticism came from the United States.
- When
- A House of Commons debate is scheduled for Tuesday; the articles do not provide a date.
- Why
- The UK says the plan could improve access to trustworthy news, while critics fear government-backed designations could reduce free speech and enable censorship.
Supporters of Greater News Prominence
Critics of Government-Linked Designations
Promoting reliable information
Supporters of Greater News Prominence
The National Union of Journalists and Chartered Institute of Journalists said accurate information from trusted journalists and outlets should appear more prominently than other contributions.
Critics of Government-Linked Designations
The US government and News Media Association warned that deciding which outlets are trustworthy could place the public’s news choices under state influence.
Effect on free speech
Supporters of Greater News Prominence
Supporters argue that changing platform algorithms could help tackle misinformation and improve access to reputable reporting.
Critics of Government-Linked Designations
The US said boosting government-preferred media can reduce the reach of disfavored speakers in a way not meaningfully different from removal, potentially facilitating censorship.
Eligibility rules
Supporters of Greater News Prominence
The proposal seeks to make trustworthy providers easier to discover through social and video feeds.
Critics of Government-Linked Designations
The News Media Association urged the government to ensure eligibility is not tied to membership in a regulator approved by the Press Recognition Panel.
Key facts
- Proposal
- Explore legislative options to make trustworthy news providers more prominent and discoverable on social media.
- US response
- The US government raised serious free-speech concerns and said the measure could facilitate censorship.
- Main concern
- A government or government-authorized body could determine which outlets are considered trustworthy.
- Potential impact
- Independent journalists without approved credentials could receive less reach or viewership.
- Publisher concern
- The News Media Association said the state should not determine which journalism the public sees.
- Platform concern
- The association said platforms might primarily highlight public-service broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV.
- Union position
- The National Union of Journalists and Chartered Institute of Journalists backed greater prominence for accurate information and changes to platform algorithms.
Quotes
US Embassy
The US Embassy, communicating the US government’s position on the UK proposal
“If the UK compels platforms to boost government-preferred media in algorithmic feeds, the effect on a government-disfavoured speaker or media source’s reach is not meaningfully different than outright removal. The US Government would likely consider such a measure as facilitating censorship.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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