‘Legitimate stories may be taken down’

debate and harm Press freedom. They fear the companies’ algorithms will take down legitimate news stories on issues such as terrorism and child abuse.

The News Media Association, which represents news publishers, called on Ministers to go further and ensure news publisher content is ‘entirely and clearly out of scope’. Alison Gow, former president of the Society of Editors, echoed calls for an exemption for news publishers, warning the Bill could otherwise ‘stifle’ newspapers.

Ministers insist there are major safeguards for journalism, saying journalists will get a fast-tracked right to appeal if any content is removed. They also say they are prepared to make improvements to the Bill as it debated in Parliament.

However, MPs have warned that as many as 20,000 tech businesses will be ‘within scope’ of the new legislation, and it could affect websites which advertise holidays and restaurants and allow users to leave reviews.