Growing power of tech firms risks eroding press freedom, Starmer warns

Labour leader says tech giants need to be regulated to protect democracy

Starmer's intervention comes after Google threatened to withdraw its search engine from Australia over a new law that would force it to pay media companies for their content

The growing power of tech firms is eroding press freedom, according to Labour leader Keir Starmer.

In a speech at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Starmer said that tech giants like Google and Facebook are "too powerful" and need to be regulated to protect democracy.

"The way that our democracy is being undermined is not through censorship by governments but through the control of the public sphere by private corporations," he said.

Starmer's intervention comes after Google threatened to withdraw its search engine from Australia over a new law that would force it to pay media companies for their content.

The Australian government has argued that the law is necessary to protect the country's media industry, which has been struggling to compete with the tech giants.

But Google has said that the law is "unworkable" and would "break" its search engine.

Starmer said that the Australian government's approach is "too heavy-handed" but added that tech firms need to be regulated "in a way that is fair and proportionate".

"We need to ensure that tech companies are not able to control the public sphere and that they do not stifle competition and innovation," he said.

Starmer's speech comes as the UK government is considering a new law that would give the Competition and Markets Authority powers to break up tech firms that are deemed to be too powerful.

The government is also considering a new code of conduct for tech firms that would require them to be more transparent about their algorithms and to give users more control over their data.

Why is press freedom important?

• Press freedom is essential for a healthy democracy.
• It allows journalists to hold those in power to account and to report on important issues without fear of reprisal.
• Press freedom also helps to ensure that the public is informed about important issues and can make informed decisions about their lives.

What are the threats to press freedom?

• There are a number of threats to press freedom around the world.
• These include government censorship, intimidation of journalists, and the concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few large corporations.
• The rise of social media has also posed new challenges to press freedom, as it has made it easier for governments and other actors to spread disinformation and propaganda.

How can we protect press freedom?

• There are a number of things that can be done to protect press freedom.
• These include supporting independent journalism, advocating for laws that protect journalists, and educating the public about the importance of press freedom.
• We must also hold those in power to account and demand that they respect the rights of journalists.

Conclusion

Press freedom is essential for a healthy democracy. However, it is under threat from a number of sources.

We must all work to protect press freedom and ensure that journalists are able to report on important issues without fear of reprisal.