Labour has been warned by the US Congress that forcing social media platforms to prioritise the BBC over GB News and outlets is a threat to free speech.
The Americans have issued a stark warning to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, claiming that proposed regulations forcing technology giants to boost BBC content represent a major assault on freedom of expression.
Close Trump ally Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Ms Nandy on Tuesday outlining his objections to the plans.
The proposals, unveiled by the Government last month, would compel platforms including Meta, Google and YouTube to give boost material from so-called “trusted and accurate” public service broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
In his letter, Mr Jordan argued the rule “would serve as a major threat” to online speech and “infringe on the rights of American companies”.
The top Republican expressed concern that several of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s proposals would damage the open exchange of ideas online.
Mr Jordan said: “Several of DCMS’s proposals would hurt the free, competitive marketplace of ideas, and instead prioritise state-sanctioned media outlets with the goal of influencing the scope and direction of public discourse.”
He warned the reforms are potentially harmful to both American businesses and their users, requesting that British officials provide a detailed explanation of their intentions.
The new social media rules, announced last month, are a threat to free speech, Congress has warned Lisa Nandy
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“We write to express our serious concerns with these proposed reforms and to request a briefing on DCMS’s ongoing consideration and prospective implementation of any such reforms,” Mr Jordan said in the letter – shared with The Telegraph.
Ministers have defended the proposals as necessary to counter the growing influence of algorithm-driven content, which Government sources believe is eroding the reach of “reliable” news outlets.
AI-generated material has become a particular concern for officials seeking to tackle so-called misinformation online.
Research from Ofcom reveals the extent to which traditional news consumption patterns have shifted – three-quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds now rely primarily on social media for their news.
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The proposed new rules will favour public service broadcasters over other outlets
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The regulator’s data also shows that more than half of British adults count social media platforms among their principal news sources.
Beyond the “trusted and accurate” rules, ministers are examining whether to extend public service media status to digital-only outlets and are consulting on transitioning to internet-based television by either 2034 or 2044.
The intervention from Washington adds to mounting friction between the two sides of the “special relationship” over Labour’s series of tech crackdowns.
Mr Jordan has written across the Atlantic before over fears the British Government may be spying on American citizens.
Senior Trump administration figures – including the President – are convinced that Britain has long benefited from levies unfairly targeting American firms.
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