Cut Out By The Middle Man: The Free Speech Implications Of Social Network Blocking and Banning In The EU external link

JIPITEC, vol. 6, num: 2, 2015

Abstract

This article examines social network users’ legal defences against content removal under the EU and ECHR frameworks, and their implications for the effective exercise of free speech online. A review of the Terms of Use and content moderation policies of two major social network services, Facebook and Twitter, shows that end users are unlikely to have a contractual defence against content removal. Under the EU and ECHR frameworks, they may demand the observance of free speech principles in state-issued blocking orders and their implementation by intermediaries, but cannot invoke this ‘fair balance’ test against the voluntary removal decisions by the social network service. Drawing on practical examples, this article explores the threat to free speech created by this lack of accountability: Firstly, a shift from legislative regulation and formal injunctions to public-private collaborations allows state authorities to influence these ostensibly voluntary policies, thereby circumventing constitutional safeguards. Secondly, even absent state interference, the commercial incentives of social media cannot be guaranteed to coincide with democratic ideals. In light of the blurring of public and private functions in the regulation of social media expression, this article calls for the increased accountability of the social media services towards end users regarding the observance of free speech principles.

Banning, Private Censorship, Removal Orders, Social media, Vrijheid van meningsuiting

Bibtex

Article{Leerssen2019, title = {Cut Out By The Middle Man: The Free Speech Implications Of Social Network Blocking and Banning In The EU}, author = {Leerssen, P.}, url = {https://www.jipitec.eu/issues/jipitec-6-2-2015/4271/leerssen.pdf}, year = {1010}, date = {2015-10-10}, journal = {JIPITEC}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, pages = {}, abstract = {This article examines social network users’ legal defences against content removal under the EU and ECHR frameworks, and their implications for the effective exercise of free speech online. A review of the Terms of Use and content moderation policies of two major social network services, Facebook and Twitter, shows that end users are unlikely to have a contractual defence against content removal. Under the EU and ECHR frameworks, they may demand the observance of free speech principles in state-issued blocking orders and their implementation by intermediaries, but cannot invoke this ‘fair balance’ test against the voluntary removal decisions by the social network service. Drawing on practical examples, this article explores the threat to free speech created by this lack of accountability: Firstly, a shift from legislative regulation and formal injunctions to public-private collaborations allows state authorities to influence these ostensibly voluntary policies, thereby circumventing constitutional safeguards. Secondly, even absent state interference, the commercial incentives of social media cannot be guaranteed to coincide with democratic ideals. In light of the blurring of public and private functions in the regulation of social media expression, this article calls for the increased accountability of the social media services towards end users regarding the observance of free speech principles.}, keywords = {Banning, Private Censorship, Removal Orders, Social media, Vrijheid van meningsuiting}, }

How Social are New and Social Media for National Minorities? Perspectives from the FCNM external link

European Yearbook of Minority Issues, vol. 16, num: 1, pp: 3-33, 2019

Abstract

Understanding the transformation of digital communication gives important insights into how new media, including social media, affect the ability of persons belonging to national minorities to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and participation in society. Thus, the new media ecosystem calls for greater attention for minority-related issues. The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ACFC) has already observed that the media ecosystem is increasingly used for the expression of intolerance and hostility towards minorities, but that it also provides them with valuable expressive opportunities. This article starts with an analysis of how the advent and growing dominance of social media are causing farreaching changes in how we communicate in the new media ecosystem. The potential and drawbacks of new and social media for national minorities is the next focus. The article then analyses the ACFC’s monitoring work regarding new and social media. The article’s conclusions are supplemented by a set of recommendations that may guide the ACFC’s future monitoring work on relevant issues.

frontpage, minderheden, Social media, technologie, Vrijheid van meningsuiting

Bibtex

Article{Kostić2019, title = {How Social are New and Social Media for National Minorities? Perspectives from the FCNM}, author = {Kostić, B. and McGonagle, T.}, url = {https://brill.com/abstract/journals/ymio/16/1/article-p1_2.xml}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1163/22116117_01601002}, year = {0704}, date = {2019-07-04}, journal = {European Yearbook of Minority Issues}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {3-33}, abstract = {Understanding the transformation of digital communication gives important insights into how new media, including social media, affect the ability of persons belonging to national minorities to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and participation in society. Thus, the new media ecosystem calls for greater attention for minority-related issues. The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ACFC) has already observed that the media ecosystem is increasingly used for the expression of intolerance and hostility towards minorities, but that it also provides them with valuable expressive opportunities. This article starts with an analysis of how the advent and growing dominance of social media are causing farreaching changes in how we communicate in the new media ecosystem. The potential and drawbacks of new and social media for national minorities is the next focus. The article then analyses the ACFC’s monitoring work regarding new and social media. The article’s conclusions are supplemented by a set of recommendations that may guide the ACFC’s future monitoring work on relevant issues.}, keywords = {frontpage, minderheden, Social media, technologie, Vrijheid van meningsuiting}, }

Germany proposes Europe’s first diversity rules for social media platforms external link

LSE Media Policy Project Blog, vol. 2019, 2019

frontpage, Mediarecht, Online platforms, Regulering, Social media

Bibtex

Article{Helberger2019, title = {Germany proposes Europe’s first diversity rules for social media platforms}, author = {Helberger, N. and Leerssen, P. and Drunen, M. van}, url = {https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2019/05/29/germany-proposes-europes-first-diversity-rules-for-social-media-platforms/}, year = {0606}, date = {2019-06-06}, journal = {LSE Media Policy Project Blog}, volume = {2019}, pages = {}, keywords = {frontpage, Mediarecht, Online platforms, Regulering, Social media}, }

Challenging Diversity – Social Media Platforms and a New Conception of Media Diversity external link

Oxford University Press, 0823, pp: 153-175, ISBN: 9780190845117

diversity, Mediarecht, Platforms, Social media

Bibtex

Chapter{Helberger2018b, title = {Challenging Diversity – Social Media Platforms and a New Conception of Media Diversity}, author = {Helberger, N.}, year = {0823}, date = {2018-08-23}, keywords = {diversity, Mediarecht, Platforms, Social media}, }

A minha fonte sou eu – Meine Quelle bin ich. Soziale Medien als Diskurserweiterung am Beispiel der Aufarbeitung der Militärdiktatur und der Diskussion über die Einrichtung einer Wahrheitskommission in brasilianischen Printmedien und auf Twitter external link

Brazil, Democracy, Latin America, military dictatorship, public discourse, Social media, truth commission, Twitter

Bibtex

Other{Bastian2012, title = {A minha fonte sou eu – Meine Quelle bin ich. Soziale Medien als Diskurserweiterung am Beispiel der Aufarbeitung der Militärdiktatur und der Diskussion über die Einrichtung einer Wahrheitskommission in brasilianischen Printmedien und auf Twitter}, author = {Bastian, M.}, year = {1001}, date = {2012-10-01}, keywords = {Brazil, Democracy, Latin America, military dictatorship, public discourse, Social media, truth commission, Twitter}, }

An unfulfilled promise. Twitter and the dictatorial past in Brazil external link

Bastian, M. & Trilling, D.
Revista Brasileira de Políticas de Comunicação, vol. 4, pp: 51-68, 2013

Brazil, Democracy, dictatorship, Latin America, Social media, Twitter

Bibtex

Article{Bastian2013, title = {An unfulfilled promise. Twitter and the dictatorial past in Brazil}, author = {Bastian, M. and Trilling, D.}, year = {0101}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {Revista Brasileira de Políticas de Comunicação}, volume = {4}, pages = {51-68}, keywords = {Brazil, Democracy, dictatorship, Latin America, Social media, Twitter}, }

Talking with and about politicians on Twitter. An analysis of tweets containing @-mentions of candidates in the Brazilian presidential elections external link

Medeiros, D., Bastian, M. & Trilling, D.
Revista Latinoamericana de Opinión Pública, num: 6, pp: 89-115, 2016

elections, political communication, Social media, Twitter

Bibtex

Article{Medeiros2016, title = {Talking with and about politicians on Twitter. An analysis of tweets containing @-mentions of candidates in the Brazilian presidential elections}, author = {Medeiros, D. and Bastian, M. and Trilling, D.}, year = {0101}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Revista Latinoamericana de Opinión Pública}, number = {6}, keywords = {elections, political communication, Social media, Twitter}, }

Kroniek Mediarecht external link

KwartaalSignaal Ars Aequi, vol. 141, pp: 8222-8224, 2016

Digital Single Market, Journalistiek, mededeling aan het publiek, mediabeleid, Social media, Vrijheid van meningsuiting

Bibtex

Article{Breemen2016b, title = {Kroniek Mediarecht}, author = {Breemen, V.}, year = {1201}, date = {2016-12-01}, journal = {KwartaalSignaal Ars Aequi}, volume = {141}, pages = {8222-8224}, keywords = {Digital Single Market, Journalistiek, mededeling aan het publiek, mediabeleid, Social media, Vrijheid van meningsuiting}, }

Exposure diversity as a design principle for recommender systems external link

Helberger, N., Karppinen, K. & D'Acunto, L.
Information, Communication and Society, vol. 2018, num: 2, 2017

Abstract

Personalized recommendations in search engines, social media and also in more traditional media increasingly raise concerns over potentially negative consequences for diversity and the quality of public discourse. The algorithmic filtering and adaption of online content to personal preferences and interests is often associated with a decrease in the diversity of information to which users are exposed. Notwithstanding the question of whether these claims are correct or not, this article discusses whether and how recommendations can also be designed to stimulate more diverse exposure to information and to break potential ‘filter bubbles’ rather than create them. Combining insights from democratic theory, computer science and law, the article makes suggestions for design principles and explores the potential and possible limits of ‘diversity sensitive design’.

autonomy, exposure diversity, filter bubbles, filtering, frontpage, information diversity, medial law, nudging, recommender systems, search enginges, Social media

Bibtex

Article{Helberger2017, title = {Exposure diversity as a design principle for recommender systems}, author = {Helberger, N. and Karppinen, K. and D\'Acunto, L.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/ICS_2016.pdf}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1271900}, year = {0119}, date = {2017-01-19}, journal = {Information, Communication and Society}, volume = {2018}, number = {2}, pages = {}, abstract = {Personalized recommendations in search engines, social media and also in more traditional media increasingly raise concerns over potentially negative consequences for diversity and the quality of public discourse. The algorithmic filtering and adaption of online content to personal preferences and interests is often associated with a decrease in the diversity of information to which users are exposed. Notwithstanding the question of whether these claims are correct or not, this article discusses whether and how recommendations can also be designed to stimulate more diverse exposure to information and to break potential ‘filter bubbles’ rather than create them. Combining insights from democratic theory, computer science and law, the article makes suggestions for design principles and explores the potential and possible limits of ‘diversity sensitive design’.}, keywords = {autonomy, exposure diversity, filter bubbles, filtering, frontpage, information diversity, medial law, nudging, recommender systems, search enginges, Social media}, }