Thursday 22 November 13:15-14:30
CEPS and the Counter Extremism Project's Berlin office have teamed up in the effort to tackle the question on whether law finds the right balance between free expression and fighting extremism. Together, we are producing a new original report analyzing the fallout nine months after the enaction of Germany's NetzDG law.
Germany’s NetzDG law, or Network Enforcement Act, represents a key test for combating extremist speech proliferating on the Internet. Under the law, which went into effect on January 1, 2018, online platforms with more than two million users in Germany face fines of up to €50 million if they do not remove “obviously illegal” hate speech and other postings within 24 hours of notification.
Supporters see the legislation as an efficient response to the threat of online hatred and extremism. Critics view it as an attempt to privatize a new, draconian censorship regime, with social media platforms responding to their new painful liability by engaging in unneeded takedowns.
Does the law find the right balance between free expression and fighting extremism? CEPS and Berlin-based Counter Extremism Project have teamed up to offer some preliminary answers. The NetzDG outcome is crucial for all of Europe since the European Commission is moving ahead with its own, narrower law outlawing illegal terrorist content.
Speakers include:
Lucinda Creighton
Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism in Europe, Former Irish Minister for European Affairs
Jens-Hendrik Jeppessen
Director, European Affairs, Center for Democracy & Technology
Monika Hohlmeier
MEP(EPP, Germany), European Parliament (TBC)
James Morrison
Head of Cabinet, Commissioner Julian King responsible for the Security Union, European Commission
