UK Government Wants to Give Priority to 'Trusted' News in Digital Feeds

The debate over free speech, disinformation, and social media has once again come to the forefront in the UK after the country’s Attorney General, Richard Hermer, decided that his department will stop using Elon Musk’s platform X, formerly Twitter.

The decision, reportedly the first of its kind within the British government, is justified by concerns that the platform is being used to spread misinformation, incite violence, and amplify racist messages.

Hermer refers, among other things, to recent unrest in Southampton and Belfast, where authorities believe that misleading information and calls for violence were spread via social media.

The decision comes as the British government is working on several new measures to regulate the digital flow of information. According to Reuters, the government is considering legislation that could force social media platforms to give priority to content from so-called ‘trusted’ news sources, including the BBC and other established public service entities.

The aim is reportedly to counter disinformation and ensure that the public has access to reliable information. However, the proposals have already drawn criticism from those who warn that the state risks gaining ever-greater influence over which voices are seen and heard online.

Tighter Control of Social Media

Critics argue that concepts such as ‘disinformation’ and ‘reliable sources’ can be used in ways that benefit established institutions and disadvantage oppositional or controversial perspectives.

At the same time, the British media regulator Ofcom is pushing for tighter control over social media. New requirements mean that platforms must have dedicated crisis protocols to quickly limit the spread of illegal or dangerous content when it starts to gain significant traction.

Musk stirs up emotions. Photo: Daniel Torok

The measure is motivated by experiences from previous riots and violent protests where allegedly incorrect information spread widely online.

In parallel, another discussion concerning free speech is ongoing in the UK. This spring, the government has presented new mechanisms to strengthen free expression at the country’s universities. Among other things, a new complaints system is being introduced, allowing students, researchers, and invited speakers to report universities that are believed to restrict lawful expression of opinion or academic freedom.

“Liberal Consensus”

The two developments illustrate the balancing act many Western governments are now trying to navigate. On the one hand, there are demands for strong measures against disinformation, hate speech, and incitement to violence online — on the other, there is growing concern that the fight against harmful content could lead to increased control over public discourse.

The debate has also taken on a political dimension. Former Ofcom chair Michael Grade recently claimed that parts of the British establishment want to restrict free speech to what he describes as a “liberal consensus,” while advocates of stricter regulation argue that society must be able to protect itself from what they call organized disinformation campaigns and digital incitement.