Internet Freedom and the New Era of Censorship and Surveillance
In 2017, threats to freedom of expression and privacy online are escalating around the world.
Democratic and authoritarian governments alike are raising the pressure on internet and telecommunications companies to censor controversial content, while online surveillance programs are coming under renewed public scrutiny.
We invite you to join us for the Global Network Initiative 2017 Public Learning Forum, where experts from companies, human rights and press freedom organizations and academia will discuss emerging issues for global online rights, and what a multi-stakeholder agenda for free expression and privacy can achieve.
The three learning sessions will be followed by a reception from 5pm.
RSVPs required before Monday, June 19. Follow this page to register, and for further program updates closer to the event.
1pm: SESSION 1 – Speech Under Pressure: Reinforcing Global Support for Free Expression Online
Panelists will discuss this new era of government pressure on companies and the free speech of users around the world, including laws and policies aimed at limiting “hate speech” and disinformation, and ones like the “Right to be Forgotten” which may assert their reach across borders.
Susan Benesch, Director, Dangerous Speech Project
Andy O’Connell, Facebook Global Public Policy
K.S. Park, Professor, Korea University Law School
Courtney Radsch, Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists (Moderator)
2.30pm: SESSION 2 – Surveillance Law Worldwide and the Privacy Rights of “Others.”
As Congress considers the renewal of Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act, we bring together US and European surveillance experts to explore whether surveillance laws that distinguish between citizen-residents and foreigners are fit for purpose, and what constitutes appropriate oversight and transparency.
Adam Klein, Robert M. Gates Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security
Stephanie Martz, Director, Reform Government Surveillance Coalition
Sarah St Vincent, National Security and Surveillance Researcher, Human Rights Watch
Thorsten Wetzling, Director of the Privacy and Trans-Atlantic Cyber Projects, SNV Berlin
Vivek Krishnamurthy, Clinical Instructor, Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society (Moderator)
4pm – 5pm: Discussion Forum – Why Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Matters for Global Freedom of Expression and Privacy
Frank La Rue, UNESCO Assistant Director-General and Former UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Nani Jansen Reventlow, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers and Fellow, Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society will be in discussion with company and civil society speakers on emerging challenges for online privacy and free expression, and how multi-stakeholder collaboration can protect and advance of the rights of billions of internet and telecommunications platform users and customers worldwide.