It has been almost two decades since the UK’s media plurality framework was last updated, and in that time, the way in which we consume news has changed dramatically. The sheer scale of options now available can be as overwhelming as they are informative, with trustworthy content fighting for space and attention alongside more sensationalist and unreliable material.
As intermediaries increasingly play the role of gatekeepers, curating or recommending news content to online audiences, it is not clear that people are aware of the choices being made on their behalf, or their impact.
To better understand the implications of these changes, last year we started a programme of work on the future of media plurality. Specifically, we set out to examine the possible impacts of the growth of online news, and the role of online intermediaries in particular, on media plurality, and what, if any, regulatory changes may be necessary to maintain and secure it.
This discussion document sets out our understanding of how online intermediaries currently operate within the UK news ecosystem. We explain the role they play in the news value chain; examine the potential risks they might pose and discuss some potential options for amending the regulatory framework to help secure positive outcomes for media plurality in the UK.
Over the coming months, building on the questions we pose through this document, we will be engaging with industry and interested parties.
Discussion document: Media plurality and online news (PDF, 6.4 MB)
Dogfen drafod: Plwraliaeth y cyfryngau a newyddion ar-lein (PDF, 4.3 MB)
Our review has been informed by a range of evidence. More information is available in the annexes.
