How can the EU regulate freedom of expression online?

When Twitter in January decided to suspend US President Donald Trump’s account, it caused reactions all over the world.

In the EU, a spokesperson for the German chancellor Angela Merkel said the ban was “problematic”, since the fundamental right of freedom of expression only can be interfered with within the framework defined by lawmakers, not according to a decision from social media platforms. 

The French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that “the regulation of the digital world cannot be done by the digital oligarchy,” and in Poland, the government introduced new draft legislation, that will fine social media platforms, if they “unjustly” suspend users or remove content, promising to fight the “totalitarian censorship” by social media firms. Consequently, cyberhate monitors got concerned that this law would allow greater abuse of minorities, especially LGBT people, who are not covered by Poland´s hate crime laws.

Already before the events on Capitol Hill, the EU Commission has published proposals for legislation regulation of digital platforms through the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.

What are we expecting from the legislation proposed by the EU Commission? How does online platforms influence our freedom of expression? How to regulate the contents of social networks while “scrupulously” respecting freedom of expression, as the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, put it? Also how should we apply protection of freedom of expression differently online than offline, if we should? These questions form the basis of a debate with Karen Melchior (Danish MEP) and Julia Reda (former German MEP). 

The debate is organized by Demokrati i Europa Oplysningsforbundet (DEO). It takes place online Thusday March 18, 2021, 16:00-17:00. 

The debate is free, but registration is required. You can register here. Then you will receive a link Thursday morning. From there you can log into the meeting from your computer/tablet. 

For more information, contact:   

Project manager and analyst Vibe Termansen  

70 26 36 66 or vibe@deo.dk