The UK government is preparing to introduce new regulations aimed at increasing the visibility of public service broadcasting content on social media platforms. Under plans expected in the coming days, news from the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 would be given greater prominence on sites such as Facebook and YouTube to provide users with easier access to trusted information.

The initiative, championed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration, comes as concerns grow over the spread of misinformation and disinformation online. Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) indicated the proposed measures seek to help citizens, particularly younger audiences, navigate the digital news landscape more reliably. Recent figures from Ofcom show that nearly three-quarters of individuals aged 16 to 24 primarily consume news through social media, with over half of all British adults also relying on these platforms for news access.

Government sources expressed worries that the influence of algorithms and the proliferation of AI-generated content are undermining the credibility of established news outlets. The new rules will be discussed through a public consultation expected to launch soon, though final details and decisions have yet to be confirmed.

However, the move to prioritize the BBC has been met with criticism, especially in light of recent controversies surrounding the broadcaster. Reports surfaced last year alleging that BBC’s Panorama program edited a speech by former US President Donald Trump to falsely suggest he incited violence during the Capitol riot, an allegation that has led to a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump against the BBC. Additional concerns have been raised over the BBC Arabic’s coverage of Gaza, with accusations that it disproportionately features viewpoints from Hamas.

Further scrutiny was directed at the broadcaster’s internal handling of contentious issues, including claims that certain LGBT+ reporters suppressed coverage of transgender discussions and a disputed report suggesting racial bias among car insurers. The BBC has also faced accusations of inconsistent disciplinary actions following the October 7 attacks; a former presenter was dismissed after criticizing the outlet for not labeling Hamas “terrorists,” while some BBC Arabic journalists under investigation for social media posts related to the attacks reportedly remained employed.

The proposed content promotion plan follows a recent government announcement of an Australian-style ban on social media use for individuals under 16, slated to take effect as early as next spring. This policy, impacting platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, has been criticized by social media companies and digital rights advocates. Meta warned the ban could drive youth toward unregulated and potentially harmful online spaces, while a YouTube source suggested the restriction may result in increased anonymous viewing, reducing parental controls and user protections.

Lord Young, a Conservative peer and founder of the Free Speech Union, voiced skepticism about the Prime Minister’s approach, interpreting it as an unusual legacy focus for a former human rights lawyer and speculating on Sir Keir’s future career prospects in social media regulation.

As the government prepares to consult on these proposals, the DCMS declined to provide additional comment.