A Human Rights-based Approach to Online Content Moderation

• Author: Jacob Mchangama

Speaker

Jacob Mchangama is the founder and executive director of Justitia, a think tank focusing on human rights and a former Visiting Scholar at Columbia Global Freedom of Expression. He is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, member of the Forum on Information and Democracy’s Steering Committee for the working group on network accountability regimes, the Danish government’s independent Free Speech Commission, and a member of the steering committee of the World Expression Forum. Jacob has commented extensively on free speech and human rights in the media and academic journals including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Human Rights Quarterly and The Journal of Free Speech Law.

Topic

In the presentation, the speaker delves into a comprehensive analysis of the intricate legal issues surrounding the moderation of contentious speech on social media platforms. With a particular focus on the evolving landscape of online discourse, the speaker sheds light on the role played by the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the profound impact it has had on shaping the regulation of online content.

The DSA, a pivotal legislative framework introduced to address the challenges arising from the digital realm, occupies a central position in the speaker's discussion. They emphasize how this act aims to establish a balanced approach to content moderation, seeking to safeguard both freedom of expression and the prevention of harmful and illegal content.

Furthermore, the speaker explores the fascinating interplay between hate speech and international human rights law, highlighting the evolution of this critical issue within the global legal landscape. They delve into the various legal instruments and mechanisms employed to address hate speech, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Drawing on landmark cases and legal precedents, the speaker showcases the delicate balance that must be struck between protecting freedom of expression and curtailing hate speech. They explore the nuanced approach...