Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend online intermediaries to combat misinformation and disinformation on their websites, as set out in their Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for online safety, published on 20 November, when this is not explicitly referenced in the Online Safety Act 2023.

The Online Safety Act requires companies to take action against mis/disinformation where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children. The Act will also ensure platforms are transparent and accountable to their users about what legal content they allow on their services and are consistent in its treatment.

The draft Statement of Strategic Priorities calls for Ofcom to enhance its media literacy initiatives, empowering users to critically assess potentially misleading online content. If Parliament approves the final statement, Ofcom must then set out how it will have regard to the priorities, including those relating to mis/disinformation, when exercising its functions.