Workshop Tackles Content Moderation and Free Speech on Social Media

In a workshop titled "Content Moderation and Free Speech on Social Media," held on the 18th and 19th of October, participants delved into the cutting-edge developments in political science and communication research surrounding online incivility and content moderation. The two-day event, featuring both theoretical and empirical perspectives, placed a significant focus on understanding user and stakeholder perspectives on what constitutes content deserving moderation. Discussions extended to potential solutions for fostering healthier online discourse, incorporating insights from research and real-world experiences by industry practitioners. The agenda included sessions on topics such as TikTok's moderation controversies in South and Southeast Asia, ideological biases in YouTube content moderation in the United States, the politics of platform regulation, citizen preferences for online hate speech regulation, a CERN-like initiative for studying the information environment, and a discussion on the future of "free" speech in academia. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion featuring Benjamin Brake, Freidrich Enders, Andreas Franck, and Ruth Appel. For more click here.