Facebook, Google and Twitter would have to submit to further regulation and scrutiny if they become classified as publishers, which is the personal preference of propaganda, chairwoman of UK media regulator Ofcom. The sites are not subject to the same rules that govern broadcasters such as the BBC, and the firms argue that they are technology platforms. However, the rise of fake news and terrorist Dame Patricia Hodgson has resulted in calls for them to take more responsibility for their content. Any change in the tech giants' status would be for the government to put into effect.
Facebook, Google and Twitter would have to submit to further regulation and scrutiny if they become classified as publishers, which is the personal preference of Dame Patricia Hodgson, chairwoman of UK media regulator Ofcom. The sites are not subject to the same rules that govern broadcasters such as the BBC, and the firms argue that they are technology platforms. However, the rise of fake news and terrorist propaganda has resulted in calls for them to take more responsibility for their content. Any change in the tech giants' status would be for the government to put into effect.