“These concerns imply that social media is a lawless mayhem when it comes to hate speech. But this characterization is wrong. Most platforms have strict rules prohibiting hate speech, which have expanded significantly over the past several years. Many of these policies go far beyond both what’s required and permissible under international human rights law […]
By Jeff Kosseff Since the dawn of the commercial internet, Americans have spoken and accessed information online without providing their names. Political dissidents freely express their views. Patients search for health information without fearing public embarrassment. Domestic violence victims seek help online, shielding their communications from their abusers. State and federal lawmakers threaten to upend that culture of anonymity. And […]
By Jacob Mchangama and Nadine Strossen The article argues that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, has historically been most important for marginalized and powerless groups in society. The author notes that wealthy and powerful individuals and institutions have always had the means […]
As Fox News faces a $1.6 billion lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems over false reporting, the legal principle of “actual malice” is under scrutiny. While some have called for the erosion of this protection for free speech, The Future of Free Speech Projects Senior Fellow @Jeff Kosseff argues that doing so would be a threat […]
Senior Fellow Jeff Kosseff on why old criminal defamation laws pose a danger to free speech in the digital age. “we’ve seen disturbing examples of charges filed against citizens who criticize local government officials on social media” access article
New Foreign Policy piece by Jacob Mchangama, this time with Nadine Strossen on Ron DeSantis, a Republican, who is expected by many to announce his candidacy for president in the coming weeks or months. DeSantis’s call to make it easier to sue the media for `false information’” is part of a larger Republican revolt against […]