THE INSTITUTE FOR DIGITAL HUMANITY
HATE SPEECH Versus
Free Speech
Freedom of speech is a foundational American right.
Hate speech is a terrifying reality for far too many Americans.
But who decides:
-
whether speech should be heard or censored?
-
what constitutes hate speech?
-
which viewpoints should be silenced?
These are incredible difficult questions -- and conversations -- that all citizens need to reckon with. Frighteningly, algorithms -- not humans -- are increasingly being tasked with these decisions. They have the power to decide what is fact or fiction, what topics are worthy of debate, and which speakers should be encouraged, discouraged, or silenced. These algorithms now police the public square and generally do so poorly.
The IDH's Free Speech initiatives focus on giving the power and freedom of speech back to humans, while determining how to balance (1) vigorously protecting our fellow humans from dangerous hate speech and (2) ensuring that tech companies honor our First Amendment rights.
The IDH understands that free speech is important for democracy to flourish, but we also recognize that hate speech is a real problem that inflicts real-world harms. Our initiatives around free speech focus on providing digital spaces with a framework for determining hate speech without limiting constitutionally-protected First Amendment rights.
hate speech v. free SPEECH Victories
RESEARCH DIVISION:
-
Another IDH Research Associate, Joe Cobb, was published on WandaVision and erasure.
-
The IDH was also published on the intersection of religious freedom, LGBTQIA Discrimination, and the First Amendment.
-
IDH research on AI justice for a shoutout in Forbes!
-
In The Nebraska Lawyer, IDH faculty Thomas Freeman and Dr. Aaron Mckain discussed the evolution of law practice as technology advances.
-
IDH faculty and affiliates were published in the William & Mary Business Law Review discussing free speech!
-
In 2021, our Executive Director joined IDH affiliates to present at the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Technology Expo on technology inclusivity in online disputes.
-
The IDH also presented on the nuances of First Amendment protections in the wake of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado at two conferences:
-
the Midwest Business Administrative Association/Midwest Academy of Legal Studies in Business Joint Conference
-
Huber Hurst Research Seminar in Business Law and Ethics
-
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DIVISION:
-
Kare-11 (Minneapolis Local News) interviewed the IDH about our efforts for a more just and equitable digital future!
-
The IDH joined ACLU MN, the Institute for Aesthetic Advocacy, Reclaim the Block, and Saftey Not Survillance for the "Plugging In" community education event highlighting digital ethics, technological privacy, and more.
-
Check out the online gallery space for "Digital Rights are Civil Rights," an online art exhibit showcasing the intersection of digital ethics and civil rights, with a particular focus on racism and systemic oppression.