UK considers forcing social media firms to prioritise trusted news

Reuters - Britain is considering forcing social media companies to prioritise what the government called trusted news sources as part of its broader push ​to tighten regulation of the sector.
The culture department said on Monday ‌it was considering requiring platforms such as Meta's (META.O) Facebook, Alphabet-owned (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok to make content from public service media — including the BBC, ITV (ITV.L) and Channel 4 — and other ​trusted news providers easier to find in users' feeds and searches.
The ​move comes a week after the government announced a ban on ⁠under-16s using most social media platforms.
Data from media regulator Ofcom show social ​media has become a main source for a majority of UK adults and ​around three-quarters of younger people aged 16 to 24. Separate Ofcom research from 2024 found four in 10 UK adults had encountered misinformation in a single month, most of ​it online.
"It is vital that we make sure that people have better ​access to trusted and accurate news and that our regulated public service media is seen ‌and ⁠heard in the fierce battle against mis- and disinformation," culture minister Lisa Nandy said in a statement.
Boosting the visibility of regulated news providers could help tackle misinformation, particularly during crises, the government said.
However, any move to influence how platforms ​rank content is likely ​to face ⁠scrutiny from the social media firms, which say such rules could override user choice and disadvantage other creators.
X, Meta, ​TikTok and YouTube did not immediately respond to requests for ​comment.
The proposals ⁠form part of a broader overhaul of Britain's public service media system to help broadcasters compete with streaming platforms and shifting viewing habits.
Ministers are also considering ⁠widening ​public service media status to include online-only providers, ​extending free-to-air protections for major sporting events to on-demand viewing, and consulting on a shift to ​internet-based TV from 2034 or 2044.