Policy Briefing on the Online Safety Bill Published

The Media Reform Coalition produced a third briefing document based on the UK Media Influence Matrix report, addressing the debates around the UK government’s Online Safety Bill.

The briefing, written by Professor Julian Petley, provides the historical context, summarizes the key features of the Bill, looks at its “extremely mixed” reception and the most important concerns about it.

The Bill introduces new rules for internet companies which host user-generated content and also for search engines, which will be required to minimize the presentation of search results considered harmful in the Bill’s terms. Platforms likely to be accessed by children will have a duty to protect young users from legal but harmful material. The largest and most popular platforms will also have to address specific categories of legal but harmful material accessed by adults.

The briefing argues that the obligation the Bill places on online platforms to tackle content that is deemed harmful, even though it is legal is a major threat to freedom of expression. It also points out that news publishers’ websites will not fall within the Bill’s remit. This may lead to a two-tier system of journalism, in which that most in need of regulation escapes it and citizen journalists, bloggers, activists will find themselves subject to its strictures. The Bill is also at odds with other regulatory approaches, creating a legally risky environment for the tech industry.

The briefing offers action points that address the main concerns.

Previous Briefings covered a media policy agenda for 2022 and the recent BBC licence fee settlement.