This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the role played by social media and online platforms as news and content publishers ahead of a debate on this topic scheduled to take place in the House of Lords on Thursday 11 January 2018.
Social Media and Online Platforms as Publishers (231 KB , PDF)
On 11 January 2018, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate a motion moved by Baroness Kidron (Crossbench) on the “role played by social media and online platforms as news and content publishers”.
This short briefing considers some of the issues that have arisen as part of the debate on this subject in recent months. These include, but are not limited to, the role of social media and online platforms as disseminators of inaccurate or misleading information (widely referred to as ‘fake news’); the use of such applications by state and non-state actors to influence conflict narratives, sometimes through the posting of illegal content; the role of these networks in preventing online bullying and harassment; and the responsibility held by such platforms when copyrighted content is inappropriately uploaded and shared via their services. Potential responses to these challenges—including government-led and industry-led activity—are then briefly considered. A selection of recommended reading is identified at the end of the briefing for further information on this multi-faceted subject.
Social Media and Online Platforms as Publishers (231 KB , PDF)
Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.
Renewable energy generation can depend on factors like weather conditions and daylight hours. Long-duration energy storage technologies store excess power for long periods to even out the supply. In March 2024, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said increasing the UK’s long-duration energy storage capacity would support the UK’s net zero plans and energy security. The government has announced an investment support scheme, to launch in 2025.
The Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL] aims to regulate the usage of algorithmic and automated decision-making systems across the public sector, making the use of such systems more transparent and fair, and mitigating against the risks arising from such technologies such as bias and discrimination. It is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat). It is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2024.
![Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL]: HL Bill 27 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Government-VIGS-568x426.jpg)