The digital era has fundamentally transformed how we consume information, shifting the power of the press from traditional printing presses to the complex, black-box algorithms of social media giants. In the UK, the government is currently weighing a significant policy move that could redefine our digital feeds: mandating that major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok prioritize content from “trusted” news outlets. This proposal, spearheaded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aims to elevate regulated, public-service journalists—such as those from the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4—above the chaotic noise of unverified posts. It is a bold, albeit controversial,…

The following summary captures the essence of the conversation between veteran activist Debbie Stothard and Rohingya advocate Yasmin Ullah, reflecting on the disturbing rise of anti-Rohingya sentiment in Malaysia. The recent surge in vitriol against the Rohingya in Malaysia—characterized by misinformation, xenophobic rhetoric, and growing demands for mass deportation—is not an isolated incident. Debbie Stothard, founder of ALTSEAN-Burma, views this pattern as a calculated political tactic. When elections loom, marginalized groups are frequently turned into convenient scapegoats, used by political actors to whip up fear and distract the public from substantive policy failures. Because many Malaysians have little meaningful interaction…