Twitter debates might put freedom of expression back on the agenda
regulation
Inevitable harms of UK regulation of social media
Today's Financial Times raised concerns over the Online Safety Bill under consideration by the UK’s Parliament. It was entitled ‘Tech sector alarmed at Patel push to monitor ‘legal but harmful’ content’ (Bradshaw et al 2022:1). Everyone in the UK should be alarmed – not simply the tech companies.[1] The risk is that by approaching the … Continue reading Inevitable harms of UK regulation of social media
Flawed Economics Behind Online Harms Regulation
The Flawed Economics of Online Harms Regulation I am not an economist, but even I can see the huge flaws in a recently published “cost/benefit analysis of the UK’s online safety bill”.[1] My immediate reactions: The author, Sam Wood, of 'The Economics of Online Harms Regulation' in InterMEDIA, begins with an argument that the pandemic ‘[feuled] concerns … Continue reading Flawed Economics Behind Online Harms Regulation
Quello Center Advisory Board
Great first meeting as a new member of the Quello Center Advisory Board, 9 May 2019. It was a great opportunity to thank Gary Reid, who is retiring, for his contributions to the Center, and to see members of the Board, who continue to contribute to the Center's success. Merit Innovation Award to the Quello … Continue reading Quello Center Advisory Board
Networked publics: multi-disciplinary perspectives on big policy issues
https://policyreview.info/articles/analysis/networked-publics-multi-disciplinary-perspectives-big-policy-issues The editors of the Internet Policy Review are pleased to announce the publication of our newest special issue, bringing together the best policy-oriented papers presented at the 2017 annual conference of the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) in Tartu, Estonia. The issue – on the broad theme of networked publics – was edited by guest … Continue reading Networked publics: multi-disciplinary perspectives on big policy issues
Regulatory Consultations are not Plebiscites
Try as You May, but Consultations are not Plebiscites Debate over the current and former FCC consultations on net neutrality have led a number of otherwise well informed telecommunication policy researchers and analysts to focus on the number of submissions for or against an FCC ruling, such as in a WSJ article today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/12/04/fcc-rebuffs-calls-senators-ny-ag-delay-net-neutrality-vote-over-fake-comments/920446001/ Regulatory … Continue reading Regulatory Consultations are not Plebiscites
Email Disrupting Life at Home?
Email Disrupting Life at Home? Careful What You Ask For In France and other nations there is discussion of somehow banning email after 6pm or outside of working hours. For example, see here. Perhaps this could help provide a better work-life balance or prevent households from competing with email for the attention of their family. … Continue reading Email Disrupting Life at Home?
Should university faculty restrict use of social media in the classroom?
Do you think that university instructors should restrict the use of social media in the classroom? While some believe that social media might undermine the boundaries of the classroom, such as by sharing with colleagues who are not enrolled in the class, it is arguable whether this battle has been lost long ago, such as … Continue reading Should university faculty restrict use of social media in the classroom?
Independence of the Press is Key to Any Leveson Reform
It is heartening to read Alan Rusbridger's editorial in The Guardian of 25 March 2013, as he seems to have become more aware of some of the serious weaknesses in the proposed press regulation, which has changed in ways that may have undermined his early support. See: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rics20/current He calls attention to the private meetings … Continue reading Independence of the Press is Key to Any Leveson Reform
How Can Politicians Endorse Press and Internet Regulation that Compromises Freedom of the Press?
A classic study of public opinion found that while Americans generally supported abstract principles of freedom of expression, many would not support the application of these principles in concrete cases, such as permitting an extreme group to speak at a local school (McCloskey and Brill 1983). That the public can support concrete actions that undermine … Continue reading How Can Politicians Endorse Press and Internet Regulation that Compromises Freedom of the Press?