Germany Law to Force Algorithm Boost for State-Approved News

Germany's state media regulators are proposing a law that would force social media platforms to algorithmically boost content from government-approved news outlets, with a state authority deciding which media organizations qualify as "reliable." The regulatory bodies making these designations are appointed through a chain starting with state politicians, raising concerns about potential bias and censorship of independent outlets, particularly smaller publications that have already faced scrutiny from these authorities. The proposal could become law within months and would extend a preferential placement system already used in app stores and smart TVs directly into social media feeds.