You Don't Say: How much speech can the Government outlaw?

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 28 2018 at 05:30 pm

Location: Ernst & Young LLP 5 Times Square New York, NY 10036

This program will look at three areas where the Government has attempted to punish or is proposing to outlaw pure speech. The first relates to Russian interference in American elections by spreading fake news. We will look at Special Counsel Mueller's indictment of Russians who allegedly attempted to do just that in 2016. The second relates to a bill passed by the House and awaiting action in the Senate to make internet service providers and website hosts liable for speech on the internet relating to sex trafficking, sometimes known as prostitution. The third will look at attempts to regulate offensive speech, particularly through the 'fighting words' doctrine. This will be a program that seeks the audience's active participation. The program will provide the background and describe the existing legal doctrines, and will ask the audience to weigh in on what it all means going forward.

PROGRAM MATERIALS:

Materials Package - 1st Amendment