

Brené with Ben Wizner on Free Speech, Misinformation, and the Case for Nuance
6 snips Feb 9, 2022
Brené sits down with Ben Wizner, an ACLU attorney and director of its Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, who has defended crucial cases like Edward Snowden's. They dive into the complexities of free speech and the pitfalls of misinformation. The conversation explores the balance between protecting free expression and the harms that come with it. They also discuss the role of tech companies in regulating content and the importance of tone in public discourse. It's a nuanced look at how to engage in debates without losing sight of the truth.
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Free Speech vs. Misinformation
- The Supreme Court protects free speech, even false statements, due to the difficulty of determining truth.
- This protection is crucial because assigning an 'arbiter of truth' presents a significant risk of bias and misuse.
Platforms vs. Publishers
- Traditional publishers like the New York Times have full editorial control and legal responsibility for their content.
- Platforms like Facebook prioritize user-generated content with limited prior review, necessitating different legal considerations.
Private vs. Government Censorship
- While private entities can control speech on their platforms, this is not legally considered censorship.
- Government censorship, however, is legally restricted, highlighting a key difference between private and public actions.