Does AI have a right to free speech? Only if it supports our right to free thought

If we decide that AI helps us think freely, we may need to give it rights too.

Simon McCarthy-Jones, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Trinity College Dublin • conversation
Sept. 27, 2023 ~8 min

Elon Musk's comments about Twitter don't square with the social media platform's reality

Elon Musk has an idea of what ails Twitter and what needs to be done to fix it. The problem is his assumptions are wrong.

Jessica Maddox, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama • conversation
May 3, 2022 ~8 min


Elon Musk's plans for Twitter could make its misinformation problems worse

Twitter, more than other social media platforms, fosters real-time discussion about events as they unfold. That could change now that Musk has gained control of the company.

Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University • conversation
April 25, 2022 ~9 min

Elon Musk's bid spotlights Twitter's unique role in public discourse – and what changes might be in store

Twitter, more than other social media platforms, fosters real-time discussion about events as they unfold. That could change if Musk gains control of the company.

Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University • conversation
April 15, 2022 ~8 min

What is Section 230? An expert on internet law and regulation explains the legislation that paved the way for Facebook, Google and Twitter

A terse piece of legislation from 1996 has been credited with creating the internet as we know it – and blamed for the flood of misinformation and other ills that have come with it.

Abbey Stemler, Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics; Faculty Associate Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, Indiana University • conversation
Aug. 2, 2021 ~5 min

Facebook’s free speech myth is dead – and regulators should take notice

Facebook's choice of profits over the people is difficult to reconcile with its commitment to free speech.

Carolina Are, Researcher and visiting lecturer, City, University of London • conversation
Feb. 22, 2021 ~8 min

After blocking Australian news, Facebook’s free speech myth is dead – and regulators should take notice

Facebook's choice of profits over the people is difficult to reconcile with its commitment to free speech.

Carolina Are, Researcher and visiting lecturer, City, University of London • conversation
Feb. 22, 2021 ~8 min

Big Tech's rejection of Parler shuts down a site favored by Trump supporters – and used by participants in the US Capitol insurrection

Millions of supporters of Donald Trump flocked to the far-right social media platform, where hate speech and calls for violence thrive. The US Capitol insurrection could be the platform's undoing.

Alex Newhouse, Research Lead, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies • conversation
Jan. 12, 2021 ~12 min


Parler is bringing together mainstream conservatives, anti-Semites and white supremacists as the social media platform attracts millions of Trump supporters

Millions of supporters of Donald Trump have flocked to the far-right social media platform Parler, where heat speech thrives.

Alex Newhouse, Research Lead, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies • conversation
Nov. 27, 2020 ~11 min

The US has lots to lose and little to gain by banning TikTok and WeChat

Banning the Chinese-owned social media platforms raises free speech concerns and could worsen the US-China trade war.

Jeremy Straub, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, North Dakota State University • conversation
Aug. 28, 2020 ~10 min

/

1