The News Media Association says it is “very concerned” about Boris Johnson’s plan to bring forward new online safety legislation.

The trade body for the regional and national press has warned the Online Safety Bill may “not get the proper Parliamentary scrutiny it needs” if it gets its second reading before Christmas.

The Prime Minister confirmed the proposed law would get its second reading ahead of the festive season after being challenged to do so by Labour leader Keir Starmer during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

The law would see Ofcom appointed as the regulator of social media sites and force social media firms to have a duty of care for their users.

The bill also proposes to fine platforms up to 10pc of their annual turnover or face having their services blocked if they fail to protect users and enforce their terms and conditions.

But NMA chief executive Owen Meredith, pictured, has argued the law will mean American technology companies are “put in a position to decide what news the British public can read”.

He said: “This is vitally important legislation and there is an understandable desire for speed.

“However, we are very concerned this may mean complex legislation with far-reaching consequences for freedom of speech and the public’s right to know does not get the proper Parliamentary scrutiny it needs.

“Not only does it leave the definition of what is legal but harmful to the Home Secretary of the day, without a comprehensive exemption for legitimate news publishers, but American owned tech giants will be put in a position to decide what news the British public can read in search and social media, and what they can’t.

“The Parliamentary Joint Committee currently considering the draft Bill should be allowed to conclude its detailed work and the Government to respond.”

HTFP has approached the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a response to the NMA’s comments.