To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce new regulations requiring technology companies to ensure that social media platforms distribute trustworthy news content.
Answered on
22 February 2019
We are committed to maintaining a news environment, both online and offline, where accurate content can prevail. We note Dame Cairncross’ recommendation that regulatory oversight be introduced as part of a ‘news quality obligation’ upon social media platforms.
We will consider how this proposal can inform our approach, including through our work on the upcoming Online Harms White Paper. The White Paper will contain legislative and non-legislative measures to tackle a wide range of online harms, including disinformation, and will set out clear responsibilities in these areas, how they should be met and what should happen if they are not.