Close
Dr Renwick gives evidence to the DCMS Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation
28 September 2021
The Constitution Unit鈥檚 Deputy Director, Dr Alan Renwick, gave evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation on 23 September regarding the government鈥檚 proposed Online Safety Bill.听
On 23 September Dr Alan Renwick gave evidence to the听听alongside Lord听Puttman听CBE, Chair of the Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee in the House of Lords; and Dr Talita de Souza Dias Shaw, Foundation Junior Research Fellow in Law, Jesus College, University of Oxford.听听
Commenting on the government鈥檚 proposed bill, Dr Renwick argued that the omission of provisions to protect听democracy听against misinformation听is a serious concern.听This听issue听was identified as a听priority听issue in the original Online Harms White Paper, published in 2019,听but has since been听dropped听from the听plans. Misleading and false information can lead to greater public distrust in democracy and its听institutions,听so it is important that there is a duty on digital听platforms听to not amplify false content which is harmful to democracy.听While freedom of speech is fundamental to democracy and is rightfully protected in the bill, Alan Renwick argued, people should equally be protected from the dangers of misinformation.听The听bill needs to find a听better听balance between these two principles of democracy.听
Building on the findings of the Unit report听Doing Democracy Better,听Dr Renwick suggested three ways to tackle misinformation which could be included in the bill. First, measures that seek to directly address misinformation online, such as removing particular content, adjusting algorithms so that misinformation and disinformation is听less prominent, and rigorous fact-checking of material by politically impartial and independent organisations. Second, measures to promote media literacy among the population:听while听these are听mentioned in the bill, detail is light, and it is difficult to see what shape such interventions will take. Third, ensuring that good quality, accurate information is available so that voters can make an informed choice at the ballot box.听
Dr Renwick highlighted the importance of protecting democratic processes from disproportionate influence by ministers. Clause 33 of the bill gives the Secretary of State the power to direct changes in codes of practice听issued by听the regulator, Ofcom, to ensure that the codes听reflect government policy. The government, he听said, shouldn鈥檛 have such influence over the regulator. Dr Renwick recommended that parliament should set out听the听framework听in primary legislation so that it can be properly scrutinised,听and听that Ofcom听then听operates听independently听within听that听framework. Important matters relating to democracy receive insufficient discussion in parliament: the听draft bill is the first time in 18 years such legislation听on communications听has gone through parliament.听
Key links听
- Watch the听.
- Read Alan Renwick鈥檚听, jointly written with Alex Walker.听
- Read Unit report,听Doing Democracy Better.听
- Alan Renwick is currently leading a research project examining attitudes to democracy in the UK.听Find out more.听
- which looked at the government's planned reform to electoral law, including some of the aforementioned issues with the Online Safty Bill. You can also l on our podcast.听