Mary Anne Franks

In this engaging conversation, Mary Anne Franks, a law professor and author of Fearless Speech, dives deep into the current state of free speech in America. She critiques the contradictions of free-speech absolutism, highlighting how recent government actions compromise First Amendment rights. Franks discusses the perils of blending entertainment, technology, and governance, revealing how this mix fosters censorship. The dialogue uncovers a cycle of blame towards universities and politicization that exacerbates surveillance and dissent chilling.

Laurie Segall, a tech journalist, talks with legal scholar Mary Anne Franks about the rise of deepfake porn and the profound risks it poses. They discuss the accessibility, impact, and motivations behind deepfakes, the need for updated laws, and the psychological impact on victims. The potential dangers of AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality are also explored.

Mary Anne Franks, an advocate for cyber civil rights and professor at George Washington Law School, joins Becca Branum from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Adam Conner of the Center for American Progress. They discuss the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a landmark federal law targeting non-consensual intimate imagery and digital forgeries. The conversation delves into its bipartisan support, the balance between protecting victims and free speech, and concerns over potential censorship and enforcement challenges that may arise.

Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer at Slate known for his incisive legal commentary, joins Dahlia Lithwick to discuss Trump's shocking pick of Matt Gaetz for the Justice Department. They dissect the implications for law and democracy, facing a potential erosion of nonpartisan values. Mary Anne Franks, a law professor and author of "Fearless Speech," delves into the escalating crisis of online censorship, particularly against women, arguing that free speech advocates often silence marginalized voices while pushing dangerous narratives.

Exploring free speech in America with a diverse group of guests, the podcast discusses legal actions against Trump allies, campus protests, student activism, controversies over Palestinian rights, and the delicate balance of the Federal Reserve's independence. It delves into the challenges of maintaining professionalism in election administration, the importance of upholding due process, and the complexities of advocating for diverse viewpoints while upholding organizational values.

Dahlia Lithwick, Mark Joseph Stern, Steve Vladeck, and Mary Anne Franks analyze monumental Supreme Court decisions, justices' perspectives, and dissents. They discuss originalism, policy areas, expertise, J. Edgar Hoover's legacy, tone of opinions, and concerns about democracy and ethics.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 immunizes platforms for the behavior of their users. It's been called by some the Magna Carta of the internet—but how foundational is it? Mary Anne Franks, a professor of law and Dean's Distinguished Scholar at the University of Miami, thinks that Section 230 is indeed a cornerstone of the modern internet, but not in a good way. As part of Lawfare's ongoing Digital Social Contract research paper series, she recently published a paper entitled, "Section 230 and the Anti-Social Contract," in which she argues that far from expanding freedom, Section 230 has simply continued a long tradition of marginalizing the most vulnerable among us. Alan Rozenshtein spoke with her about her paper, about how Section 230 fits into the broader history of American political thought and about her ideas for a better internet.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an engaging discussion, Mary Anne Franks, a George Washington University Law professor, and Alex Morey from FIRE tackle the complexities of free speech on campus, especially amid heated political debates. Keith Whittington, also from Yale, critiques the challenges faculty face regarding expression. Nadine Strossen and Jonathan Turley delve into the legal landscape of free speech, while Kenji Yoshino from NYU highlights the role of social media in moderating discourse. Together, they explore the balance between protecting free speech and addressing harmful narratives.

Tech policy experts discuss the impact of AI on democracy, focusing on ethics, civil rights, and privacy. They explore creating a democratic AI aligned with democratic values. The podcast also covers legal challenges of machine learning, policy solutions for Deep Fix threats, and global efforts on AI governance. It delves into navigating AI policy and First Amendment challenges, empowering democracy in the AI age, and rethinking free speech in the digital era.

Join law professor Mary Anne Franks, an expert in free speech and civil rights, as she and Dahlia Lithwick untangle the contradictions of free-speech rhetoric in America. They discuss how powerful figures exploit free-speech norms while enacting censorship. Franks highlights the intersection of government, media pressure, and tech influence on public discourse. They explore the chilling effects of debate tactics on academic freedom and the risks of feelings-driven legal narratives in a polarized society.