2023:Program/Legal, Advocacy, and Risks/GWZ3F8-When public becomes private and everybody is a suspect - freedom of expression in early 21st century
Title: When public becomes private and everybody is a suspect - freedom of expression in early 21st century
Speakers:
Anna Mazgal
I am acting executive director of Wikimedia Europe, an umbrella organisation for Wikimedia affiliates in Europe. Based in Brussels, she has been a Senior EU Policy Advisor at Wikimedia Deutschland. I’m currently involved in policy discussions employing both a human rights perspective and the experience of Wikimedia. Previously, I carried out advocacy on copyright reform and terrorist content regulation.
Room: Room 307
Start time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:15:00 +0800
End time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:45:00 +0800
Type: No (pretalx) session type id specified
Track: Legal, Advocacy, and Risks
Submission state: confirmed
Duration: 30 minutes
Do not record: false
Presentation language: en
Abstract & description[edit source]
Abstract[edit source]
The session aims at an overview of how the recent legislation coming from the EU comprehensively changes the practice of free expression for Internet users and for Wikimedians and Wikipedians. From Copyright directive through child sexual abuse prevention to recent court decisions, we will name overarching trends that shape the way we communicate and produce knowledge. We will see what the potential for a spillover to other jurisdictions is.
Description[edit source]
In the European paradigm, open and free discourse is better for society than censorship. In exercising freedom of expression, citizens may need special protection from the state. In this day and age, we rely on internet platforms providing intermediation, and a challenge emerges: how to expand this approach into protection against corporations and their algorithmic machines?
While the legislators have been tirelessly developing frameworks to eliminate illegal speech, users, including racialised and queer communities, are affected by harassment that becomes its own form of censorship. The amount of the information produced and exchanged exceeds the human processing capacity, European legislators give away a lot of power to platforms. A privatised system of curating information online has therefore emerged. Do recent examples of EU legislation achieve the goal of weeding out what is illegal and undesired? Are users safe and empowered? And what are the consequences for other jurisdictions?
Further details[edit source]
Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?
The session showcases the work we do within Europe in Brussels and with many affiliates on legislation that shapes the work of our communities. The approach underlines the impact of the legislation on communities facing systemic oppression and exclusion as those who can’t often execute their rights safely. Also, often we are looking into specific provisions in laws but miss time to see the big picture, that is necessary to form strategic approaches for the future – the session is an attempt to keep that conversation going.
Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Some experience will be needed
Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?
Onsite in Singapore
Remote online participation, livestreamed- Remote from a satellite event
- Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
- Pre-recorded and available on demand
