The UK government is considering new rules that could require social media platforms to make content from trusted news providers easier to find in users’ feeds and search results, as part of a wider effort to tackle online misinformation, according to a Reuters report.

The proposal, announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), would apply to platforms including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. Content from public service broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, along with other regulated news publishers, could receive greater visibility.

The consultation could also consider giving greater visibility to content from local and national newspapers, as well as public service broadcasters. The proposal could raise questions about how the government defines a “trusted” news source and which publishers qualify for preferential treatment on digital platforms.

Part of wider social media push: The move comes days after the government unveiled plans to restrict most social media platforms for users under 16. Ministers argue that trusted news sources are increasingly competing with algorithm-driven and AI-generated content, while misinformation continues to spread online.

Misinformation concerns: According to media regulator Ofcom, social media is now a main news source for most UK adults and around three-quarters of people aged 16 to 24. Separate Ofcom research found that four in 10 UK adults encountered misinformation within a single month in 2024, with most of it appearing 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 Secretary Lisa Nandy said.

Technology companies have previously argued that government intervention in content ranking could limit user choice and disadvantage other creators, and are likely to challenge the proposal.

David Wheeldon, YouTube’s Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe, criticised the idea, saying: “Prominence rules seek to distort that – forcing YouTube to prioritise government-picked channels over whatever viewers actually came to watch. That’s not fair on users, creators or the wider journalism ecosystem.”

Content moderation challenge: Questions remain over whether platforms can effectively distinguish between trustworthy and harmful content at scale. During a recent MediaNama discussion on age verification and children’s online safety, MediaNama editor Nikhil Pahwa argued that content moderation itself remains a difficult challenge. “Content is the hardest problem to solve,” he said, adding that identifying harmful material across billions of pieces of content is often difficult and prone to errors. 

The plan forms part of a broader review of the UK’s public service media framework. The government is also examining whether to grant public service status to online-only publishers, extend protections for major sporting events to on-demand viewing, and manage a future transition to internet-based television.

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