UK plans to give established media more visibility on YouTube and TikTok

Government consultation signals greater prominence for news coverage on social media plaforms could be extended to local and national newspapers, labelling them as ‘trustworthy providers’. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Government consultation signals greater prominence for news coverage on social media plaforms could be extended to local and national newspapers, labelling them as ‘trustworthy providers’. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images UK plans to give established media more visibility on YouTube and TikTok Move for greater prominence on social media comes as ministers warn online misinformation risk becoming ‘existential for our democracy’ Plans to hand established broadcasters and media companies greater prominence on digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok have been unveiled, as ministers warned online misinformation risked becoming “existential for our democracy”. In proposals that set up a new clash with global tech companies, content from the likes of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 would have to be awarded more promotion by their algorithms – with special rules considered for times of social unrest or crisis. It comes after a concerted campaign by the UK’s public service broadcasters (PSBs), who have also been arguing their content needs to be safeguarded to protect the “shared social fabric of the UK” . They have long harboured concerns that their content is being drowned out by less reliable content, or demoted by the sheer weight of English-language material generated in the US. Ian Murray, the media minister, said he hoped the big tech companies would work with the government to put new prominence rules into place. However, he said legislation could be used if required. “The ball is in their court,” he said. Murray said the shift towards online platforms was “existential for media, but also existential for our democracy”, pointing to the amount of misinformation detected during last week’s Makerfield byelection. A government consultation on the issue, published on Tuesday, signals that greater prominence for news coverage could be extended to local and national newspapers, labelling them as “trustworthy providers”. It sets up the delicate task of defining which outlets count as trustworthy providers – a definition that is likely to be fought over fiercely by news outlets, broadcasters and content creators. Guy Black, deputy chair of the Telegraph Media Group and chair of the News Media Association, said: “The government is right to highlight the growing problem of misinformation online, but the solution must ensure that media diversity is protected, maintaining public access to diverse and plural sources of trusted information.” Social media companies have previously been sceptical about artificially boosting the prominence of traditional media, arguing that it goes against the principle of creator content. Prominent figures in the creator economy have also questioned the approach. In an intervie