Section 230, Common Law, and Free Speech

Social media has become a prominent way for lawmakers, public agencies, experts, and governments to communicate with the public. Meanwhile, a once-obscure provision in federal communications law — Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — has become a political football because it provides liability protections to internet-based companies like Facebook and Twitter. Our guests, Kristian Stout, Brent Skorup, and moderator Adam Thierer, are legal experts who have written about the history of media law and Section 230. They joined us for a moderated discussion featuring audience Q&A, as Stout and Skorup debate how lawmakers and courts should approach future Section 230 issues, political speech, and free speech online.

Featuring:

• Brent Skorup, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University
• Kristian Stout, Director of Innovation Policy, International Center for Law & Economics
• [Moderator] Adam Thierer, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.