The UK government is reportedly looking to press major social media platforms to actively promote the BBC and other established media outlets as part of efforts to combat “disinformation.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration seems keen on modifying algorithms to favor what are seen as trustworthy news sources, amid ongoing initiatives from the British government to regulate largely American social networks, including a potential ban on users under 16.
According to a report from the Daily Telegraph, Downing Street plans to discuss this week how to compel companies like Facebook and YouTube to boost content from public broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.
However, the report mentions that the government also aims to encourage social media to promote traditional private media, like ITV, suggesting a broader strategy than merely supporting the BBC’s dwindling viewership.
Based on unnamed sources within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the newspaper claims that urging social media platforms to prioritize these news outlets would enable the British public to “find trusted news sources” online.
The government appears to attribute the decline in traditional media’s popularity not to a shift in consumer preference, but to the algorithms used by social media.
Despite being recognized as a “trusted” news source by the UK authorities, the BBC has faced significant controversies regarding its reporting accuracy over the past year.
For instance, in November, the then-Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness had to resign after a documentary on January 6 was accused of misleading viewers by editing President Donald Trump’s speech to imply he incited a riot.
In December, the public broadcaster admitted to airing a false story claiming Trump wanted to execute former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, misrepresenting his argument as a rhetorical point about accountability in war.
Recently, the BBC issued an apology to Brexit leader Nigel Farage after a presenter shared a manipulated version of his comments.
The emerging intention to pressure social media to promote the BBC and similar entities occurs within a wider context of attempts to manage public opinion in Britain. There are also proposals to restrict social media access for all individuals below the age of 16.
Critics argue that this may necessitate all adults to acquire a digital ID to verify their age, while some suggest that younger users could evade the restriction using VPN services, which the government has also considered banning.
