Default Article

Internet Speech: A Boon to Civic Engagement

January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The internet is an empowering and diversifying medium capable of uplifting marginalized voices. It has allowed more Americans to meaningfully participate in political dialogue and access more information and speech than ever before. It has enabled the average person to initiate and participate in movements for political and social change and to challenge power and authority. In the internet age,…

Facebook’s Political Ad Ban Will Harm Challengers and Block Useful Information

October 5, 2020   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , ,

Facebook’s recent decision to ban any new political and issue ads from running the week before Election Day is a predictable result of elected ...

“Revoke 230”: The Two Words That Could Destroy the Internet

July 1, 2020   •  By Nathan Maxwell   •  ,

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 shields internet platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and your local newspaper from liability for the content ...

The harm of blocking political Facebook ads

June 23, 2020   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

This piece originally appeared in the Washington Examiner on June 23, 2020.   It’s true in life and politics: You don’t know what you ...

The Federalist’s Disappearing Comments Section Is a Preview of What Happens if We Revoke Section 230

June 19, 2020   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

Conservatives in favor of changing Section 230 argue that web platforms would be less likely to censor voices on the right if their protection ...

Yes, Politicians, “False” Speech About You Is Protected by the First Amendment

June 16, 2020   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , , ,

Many false statements are protected by the First Amendment, for good reason. Determining whether political statements or ads are false or deceptive is often ...

Trump, not Twitter, is the biggest threat to free speech

May 29, 2020   •  By David Keating   •  ,

The only threat to the First Amendment here is the president’s threat to retaliate against Twitter. Private companies have the right to speak. Social ...

Together Apart: During Pandemic, Online Groups Are More Important Than Ever

April 17, 2020   •  By Tiffany Donnelly   •  , ,

Although the COVID-19 crisis has made “social distancing” our national mantra, the only separation we need is physical. Thanks to the internet, we can ...

Politicians Concerned About Coronavirus Misinformation Should Look in the Mirror

April 7, 2020   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

After watching national and international agencies repeatedly give bad advice to the public about a viral pandemic that could kill hundreds of thousands of ...

Calling All Joke Police: Satire Is Not Disinformation

March 9, 2020   •  By Tiffany Donnelly   •  ,

In the United States, parody, juxtaposition, exaggeration, and comparison have always been considered fair game in politics. But now, under the guise of deterring ...

Foresight is 20/20: Free Speech Developments to Follow This Year

Default Article
February 12, 2020   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , , , , ,

A number of trends that will continue to unfold in 2020 have the potential to significantly impact Americans’ political speech rights. As policymakers, pundits, ...

Load more