UK to require social media to boost public service news

The UK government is preparing to require social media and video platforms to algorithmically prioritize content from public service broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. Officials describe the planned rules, expected to be part of a forthcoming consultation, as a measure to combat misinformation by making trusted news sources more prominent online.

The initiative follows the government's recent announcement of a ban on social media use for those under 16, set to take effect in the spring of 2027. According to officials, the prominence proposal addresses concerns that reliable news is being drowned out on platforms where algorithms often dictate what users see. Data from regulator Ofcom indicates that three-quarters of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK primarily get their news through social media.

The government is considering applying rules similar to those already in place for television, where public service broadcasters are guaranteed prominent placement on electronic program guides. The new measures would target platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, requiring them to boost the visibility of designated broadcasters in feeds and search results. A government...