Web giants ‘may be taxed to fund quality journalism’
Media and Technology Reporter TECHNOLOGY giants could be hit with a tax to fund responsible journalism, the Culture Secretary suggested last night.
Jeremy Wright insisted that he would consider clamping down on the likes of Facebook and Google, and that it would be ‘unwise’ to rule anything out.
His comments came as communications watchdog Ofcom revealed that one in five UK web users has taken action to report harmful content online.
Asked how he would raise funds for public service broadcasters in the battle against ‘fake news’, Mr Wright told the Royal Television Society conference: ‘ It would be unwise of me to rule anything out completely. We have got to make an effort to support good quality journalism.
‘I will look at all the arguments. There is scope to look at the other businesses in this sector.’
Meanwhile the boss of Ofcom warned that internet users were faced with a ‘standards lottery’.
Sharon White said it was hard to discern ‘facts from fiction’ on the web, adding that it was time for tech giants to be regulated in a similar way to the media.
The Ofcom poll revealed that social media sites are regarded by users as the top source of harm – which can include bullying or fraud.
The Government has already said it will legislate, but it is not clear how. A White Paper on the issue is being prepared.