The draft bill hands more power to Ofcom, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and social media platforms to regulate what news users see on social media. The government said the new internet laws are aimed at protecting young people, clamping down on racist abuse and safeguarding online freedom of expression. The draft bill faced a backlash from free speech campaigners, civil liberties groups and media organisations tonight. 'Ofcom, an unelected quango that has often failed to defend free speech, is not the ideal body to regulate social media.' 'This is a litmus test for the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister over how committed they are to the principles of free speech.'

Source: The Nation May 12, 2021 23:03 UTC