The UK is considering requiring social media platforms to highlight reliable news sources.

      Ministers are exploring regulations that would make it easier to find content from the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, given that more Britons are receiving their news from social media feeds.

      On Monday, the UK's culture department announced that it is considering mandating social media platforms to enhance the visibility of content from public service media and other reliable news sources in feeds and search results.

      The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) identified Meta’s Facebook, Alphabet-owned YouTube, and TikTok as platforms that could be affected by these regulations, which would elevate outlets such as the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 in the places where people seek news.

      This initiative is based on data from Ofcom, the media regulator, indicating that social media has become a primary news source for most adults in the UK, and for about three-quarters of those aged 16 to 24, according to the department.

      The concern is that the traditional gatekeeping roles played by broadcasters and front pages are being replaced by recommendation algorithms, meaning that public service outlets funded and regulated by the government are competing for visibility against various other content in the feed.

      The motivation behind this proposal is to address the risks associated with the difficulty of finding trusted news. A separate Ofcom study conducted in 2024 found that 40% of UK adults encountered misinformation within a month, primarily online.

      Ministers are positioning the prominence rules as a potential solution, suggesting that enhancing the visibility of established newsrooms is more manageable than regulating false content.

      The prominence initiative is a key aspect of a broader reevaluation of public service broadcasting in the streaming era. The DCMS is also considering expanding public service media status to include online-only providers, which was not an option when the current framework was established. This could extend the benefits and responsibilities of the designation to new types of broadcasters.

      Two additional proposals are under consideration. The department is contemplating whether to extend free-to-air protections covering major sporting events, known as the listed events regime, to include on-demand viewing, ensuring that highlights and replays remain freely accessible rather than hidden behind paywalls.

      Furthermore, preparations are underway to discuss a future transition to internet-based television, with a proposed shift from traditional broadcast signals planned between 2034 and 2044.

      However, the platforms involved are likely to object. Companies in their position have previously argued that prominence rules undermine user choice, replacing a regulator’s view of what should be seen with individual preferences based on user behavior.

      They have also cautioned that promoting specific news providers could disadvantage other creators, who would find themselves ranked lower than state-selected outlets.

      The ongoing debate around YouTube’s creator policies illustrates how quickly issues of visibility and ranking can become contentious.

      This initiative aligns with a broader European trend to exert control over the digital infrastructure impacting public life, a theme evident in various content regulations and discussions around tech sovereignty throughout the continent.

      Despite being outside the European Union, Britain is grappling with the same platforms and testing the extent to which a national regulator can influence the ranking systems these platforms employ.

      At this stage, nothing has been finalized. The proposed measures are still under review, and any consultations or resulting legislation could take several months. The platforms mentioned have not provided formal responses, and the specific details regarding how prominence would be measured and enforced are yet to be determined.

      The department has, however, indicated the intended direction, alerting major social networks that the decision of whose news is prioritized is no longer solely theirs to make.