Censorship and Free Speech in the Digital Age

In her address to the IIEA, Jillian York outlined how the internet transformed the ability of citizens to contribute to public discourse, especially for citizens living under authoritarian regimes. However, the internet has also facilitated the spread of harmful content such as disinformation and hate speech. Ms York discussed how platform companies, democratic governments, and authoritarian regimes are responding with increased moderation and censorship of the internet. She assessed the negative consequences that can result and explain how citizens can respond.

About the Speaker

Jillian C. York is the Director for International Freedom of Expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a fellow at the Center for Internet & Human Rights at the European University Viadrina, and a visiting professor at the College of Europe Natolin. She is the author of Silicon Values: The Future of Free Speech Under Surveillance Capitalism published by Verso in 2021.