IRL: Online Life is Real Life

Free Speech, Limited?

Sep 18, 2017

Leaders in the tech world discuss the role of tech companies in regulating free speech and reducing hate speech online. They explore the challenges faced by tech companies, the distinction between hate speech and free speech, and the power and responsibility of these companies in setting guidelines. The podcast also touches on unintentional blocking of LGBTQ content on YouTube and the challenges of self-censorship and understanding free speech online.

37:03

Creator website

Episode guests

Brandi Collins

Anil Dash

Jillian York

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Tech companies face challenges in balancing free speech and preventing harm online.

Online platforms need to consider diverse perspectives to avoid restricting marginalized voices.

Deep dives

Technology companies' power to control free speech

The podcast episode explores the power of large tech companies in controlling individuals' right to speak. It discusses the actions taken by tech companies like GoDaddy, Google, and CloudFlare to remove services from the neo-Nazi website, the Daily Stormer. The episode questions whether these companies should have the authority to control free speech, highlighting the tension between protecting freedom of expression and preventing harm. The guests in the podcast discuss the need for due process and transparency in content moderation decisions.

Introduction

2min

The Intersection of Online and Offline Hate Speech

5min

The Power and Responsibility of Tech Companies in Regulating the Internet

15min

Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech and Hate Speech

3min

Unintentional Blocking of LGBTQ Content on YouTube

2min

Challenges of Self-Censorship and Understanding Free Speech Online

6min

The Evolution of the Web and the Limits of Free Speech

4min

In our final episode of season 1, we break from our usual format to host a big conversation. Recent events like the Charlottesville, VA rally have revealed the Internet’s role in helping spread IRL threats and violence. Leaders in the tech world have represented varying positions on both protecting free speech and also reducing hate speech online. Should tech companies regulate who says what on the Internet? Brandi Collins of Color of Change, Anil Dash of Fog Creek Software and Jillian York of the Electronic Frontier Foundation address this question and more with Veronica Belmont.

IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org.

Freedom of speech is important, online and off. And, it’s also important that free speech not infringe on the freedom of others. Tell us: what can regular internet citizens do to address this issue? How can we all accelerate the pace of change for a more free, civil and healthy Internet?

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