Are Lies Protected?

Datum/Zeit
Date(s) - 27/02/2025
11:00 - 12:30

Kategorien

• Kommende Veranstaltungen

Are Lies Protected?
A Dialogue on differing free speech standards between the US and Europe in light of developments around disinformation online
Thursday, 27th February 2025, 11.00 – ~12.30
Weicker building, 4 Rue Alphonse Weicker, Luxembourg, Room A 401
or
Online
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Free Speech as protected by the US Constitution in the First Amendment is interpreted very broadly and has received extensive protection in the jurisprudence of the US Supreme Court. Balancing free speech, as protected in a similar extensive way, for example, by the European Convention on Human Rights in its Article 10, with other rights and interests leads to a more cautious approach in the states in Europe. Therefore, maybe not surprising, attempts at regulating online platforms also in view of the speech communicated via them, have been more fruitful in the European Union than in the US.
This bi-lingual (German/English) Dialogue between a former German Constitutional Court Judge and a renowned First Amendment Scholar from the US shall shed light on why these differences persist and what we can learn about a current or future regulation – or non-regulation – of online platforms. The discussion will be guided especially by the question whether “lies” deserve protection or whether harms and risks necessitate restrictions in the online context. The Dialogue will start with a presentation from both perspectives and will then continue with a conversation between the moderators and speakers. There will also be room for discussion with the audience, both online and in person.

Speakers:

Europäische und deutsche Perspektive: Dr. h.c. Peter Müller, Richter am Bundesverfassungsgericht a.D., Ministerpräsident des Saarlandes a.D.
U.S. Perspective: Professor Russell L. Weaver, Professor of Law and Distinguished University Scholar, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville, Kentucky (USA)

Moderation:

Prof. Dr. Stephan Ory, Director of the Institute of European Media Law (EMR) and Prof. Dr. Mark D. Cole, Professor for Media and Telecommunication Law, Univ. of Luxembourg