The White House has slammed Labour for “censorship” plans to force social media platforms and search engines to promote “trustworthy” sources.
A Government Green Paper published in June, titled “Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media”, laid out plans to ensure social media companies and video-sharing platforms prioritise content from public service media including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
With the consultation now closed, Donald Trump’s administration has raised concerns over free speech, extraterritorial overreach and economic concerns in its submission.
In a statement published by the US Embassy in London, the White House asked “how the UK government, or an implementor empowered by the UK government, would designate which media outlets qualify as ‘trustworthy’.”
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The White House warned any system which encourages Government to “influence which sources receive preferential visibility risks” could lead to “viewpoint-based censorship”.
“If the UK compels platforms to boost government-preferred media in algorithmic feeds, the effect on a government-disfavored speaker or media source’s reach is not meaningfully different than outright removal,” it added.
“The US Government would likely consider such a measure as facilitating censorship.”
The White House also urged Labour to reveal how “the ‘trust’ or legitimacy of a media organisation shall be determined”.
Mr Trump’s administration also noted the vast majority of platforms affected by the proposal would be US-based, warning of extraterritorial overreach that could change how Britons receive information from US media outlets or independent journalists.
“The US government has made clear its opposition to measures resulting in extraterritorial censorship of protected speech by Americans online,” it added.
Concerns have previously been raised by the US Government – Congressman Jim Jordan, a close Trump ally, wrote a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy arguing the proposal would “infringe on the rights of American companies”.
Ms Nandy previously admitted determining which media source were “trustworthy” was “one of the most challenging aspects” of the consultation, but added the BBC was the “most trustworthy source of news, not just in this country, but across the world”.
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Mr Trump’s administration also noted YouTube had already “warned that the proposed rules could result in downgraded visibility and stifle growth for creators, independent journalists, and outlets not designated as ‘trustworthy'”.
JD Vance has previously warned Britain was headed down a “very dark path” over free speech, saying the west had become a “little too comfortable censoring” instead of engaging.
Ahead of the meeting, he was handed a dossier by the Free Speech Union outlining five proposals the Government must implement to strengthen freedom of expression in Britain.
This is not the first time the White House submitted to a Labour consultation and published its concerns.
In June, the US Embassy in London raised concerns around the Online Safety Act, saying it preferred “narrowly targeted requirements” rather than sweeping restrictions.
British diplomatic sources in Washington told The Times the interventions were frustrating, unnecessary and often released without warning.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told The Times: “We welcome engagement and responses to our media green paper.
“We believe strongly in free expression and fair competition, and any action we take will ensure these are protected.”
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