Inside Higher Education: “A new report from PEN America, “Educational Gag Orders: Legislative Restrictions on the Freedom to Read, Learn, and Teach,” says that in the first nine months of 2021, 24 state legislatures introduced 54 bills that would restrict the teaching and training of subjects including race in K-12 schools, higher education or state… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Free Speech
The First Amendment Does Not Protect Replicants
Lessig, Lawrence, The First Amendment Does Not Protect Replicants (September 10, 2021). Social Media and Democracy (Lee Bollinger & Geoffrey Stone, eds., Oxford 2022), Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3922565 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3922565 “As the semantic capability of computer systems increases, the law should resolve clearly whether the First Amendment protects machine speech. This essay argues it… Continue Reading
Freedom on the Net 2021 – The Global Drive to Control Big Tech
“In the high-stakes battle between states and technology companies, the rights of internet users have become the main casualties. Key Findings: Global internet freedom declined for the 11th consecutive year. Governments clashed with technology companies on users’ rights. Authorities in at least 48 countries pursued new rules for tech companies on content, data, and competition over… Continue Reading
How Students Fought a Book Ban and Won, for Now
The New York Times – “Hundreds of students, parents and residents in York County, Pa., protested limits on books told from the perspective of gay, Black and Latino children…Edha Gupta and Christina Ellis, two high school seniors in York County, Pa., were furious when they read last month in a local paper that their teachers… Continue Reading
Freedom in the World 2021 Democracy under Siege
Freedom in the World 2021: “As a lethal pandemic, economic and physical insecurity, and violent conflict ravaged the world in 2020, democracy’s defenders sustained heavy new losses in their struggle against authoritarian foes, shifting the international balance in favor of tyranny. Incumbent leaders increasingly used force to crush opponents and settle scores, sometimes in the… Continue Reading
Former Harvard Law Dean Who Wants Government to Save the News Business
Washington Monthly – “In an interview, Martha Minow argues the constitution doesn’t merely allow government to keep journalism outlets afloat, but requires it…In her new book, Saving the News: Why the Constitution Calls for Government Action to Preserve Freedom of Speech, Harvard Law professor (and former dean) Martha Minow argues that government policies to keep… Continue Reading
How to Protest Without Sacrificing Your Digital Privacy
Vice – “How to keep your digital devices and accounts safe when exercising your right to peaceably assemble…” Continue Reading
Event Highlights and Action Items: 25 Solutions From The Social Media Summit @ MIT
“On April 22, 2021, the IDE hosted The Social Media Summit @ MIT (#SMSMIT), which attracted more than 20,000 virtual attendees to learn about the most-pressing topics of the day. The event brought together business, policy, and academic experts to discuss social media trends and to offer actionable solutions that—as moderator Sinan Aral pointed out—can help “steer us… Continue Reading
Top 4 Unbiased Independent World News Sources
Make Use Of: “Unbiased news sources are rare, but they do exist. Here are the best news websites that are free from true censorship….The Associated Press was founded in 1846. The renowned global news organization has 53 Pulitzer Prizes under its belt. It is and has always been the epitome of clear and unbiased news… Continue Reading
New Documents Show Trump Repeatedly Pressed DOJ to Overturn Election Results Before Inciting Capitol Attack
House Committee on Oversight: “Ahead of Hearing on Insurrection, Oversight Committee Releases New Evidence and Seeks Transcribed Interviews with Key Officials Washington, D.C. (June 15, 2021) — Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, released new documents showing President Trump’s efforts to pressure the Department of Justice (DOJ)… Continue Reading
Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment
“People have challenged each other’s views for much of human history. But the internet – particularly social media – has changed how, when and where these kinds of interactions occur. The number of people who can go online and call out others for their behavior or words is immense, and it’s never been easier to… Continue Reading
Twitter’s latest bot will flag “harmful” language before you post
Ars Technica: “Want to know exactly what Twitter’s fleet of text-combing, dictionary-parsing bots defines as “mean”? Starting any day now, you’ll have instant access to that data—at least, whenever a stern auto-moderator says you’re not tweeting politely. On Wednesday, members of Twitter’s product-design team confirmed that a new automatic prompt will begin rolling out for… Continue Reading
