Event Description: Western European liberal democracies have recently enacted laws that prohibit the diffusion of fake news on social media. Such measures remain highly controversial, and many believe they are incompatible with our individual right to free speech.

Join Professor Étienne Brown for an engaging talk on the main arguments for and against the legal prohibition of fake news and a lively discussion about the role of governments and tech companies in combatting fake news and other misinformation online.

Event Location: This event will take place online via Zoom, a free video-conferencing tool. New to Zoom? After you buy your ticket, you'll receive an email with step-by-step instructions on how to use it, and you'll be a pro in no time!

Étienne's Bio: Dr. Étienne Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at San Jose State University. Previously, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Oxford and the Université de Montréal. He has also taught philosophy at the Sorbonne, where he completed his PhD in 2016.

Étienne's research focuses on the ethics of communication technologies and looks at how social media and the internet are currently transforming the moral and political lives of citizens within contemporary democracies. Recently, he has published and given talks on topics such as fake news, echo chambers, freedom of expression on the internet, and "trolling." He also regularly teaches on Artificial Intelligence, privacy and surveillance, genetic enhancement, self-driving cars, and the use of robots in warfare and the sex industry.

About Speakeasy: Speakeasy offers intimate events with compelling speakers and performers online via Zoom. Learn more about Speakeasy and check out a list of all of our events.