In Part 2 of our series on political misinformation, we explore if social media companies can be relied upon to vet and clean up their content during the 2020 political campaign. READ MORE
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Posts
COVID-19 crisis news environment found full of contradictions and concerns
Mark Sableman
June 23, 2020
In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, a recent report addresses how we receive and understand news and information. READ MORE
Meeting disinformation with media literacy in 2020: A Q&A with Julie Smith
Mark Sableman
January 15, 2020
As the 2020 presidential campaign ramps up, so does the threat of disinformation on the internet. Julie Smith, professor of media literacy at Webster University, has provided insight on how ordinary news consumers can fight misinformation. READ MORE
Concerns about misinformation could lead to limits on key media freedoms
Mark Sableman
June 26, 2019
The ability to publish almost anything on the internet without censorship is increasingly facing scrutiny from important voices, with some suggesting it may be time to change the law. Internet intermediaries must now strike a balance between censorship and publishing rights to avoid tipping two far in either direction. READ MORE
Media literacy in a time of misinformation: A Q&A with Don Corrigan
Mark Sableman
January 11, 2019
“Misinformation” was named the word of the year for 2018, and it’s clear we’ve entered a media world where separating truth from falsity can be difficult. Don Corrigan, professor of journalism at Webster University, has provided insight on how ordinary news consumers can fight misinformation. READ MORE
Too hyperbolic to be believed: How social media is transforming libel law
Mark Sableman
October 23, 2018
The Stormy Daniels versus President Trump case has clearly changed how we think about facts and truth. The trial court’s analysis, including examining the President’s social media use, has broadened the scope of what is considered opinion in today’s libel cases. READ MORE
Can social media posts be tortious or criminal?
Mark Sableman
August 27, 2018
Drawing the line between protected speech and unprotected action is one of the oldest issues under the First Amendment. Recent cases involving social media postings are bringing the issue into the 21st century. READ MORE
Studies discuss difficulty of combatting disinformation
The rise of disinformation ("fake news") is a social phenomenon affecting millions, if not billions, of people who use the internet. How do we weed out the misleading or inaccurate reports? The solution will be more complicated than we thought. READ MORE
FTC: Even implied messages need explicit disclosures
Mark Sableman
October 26, 2017
The FTC adapted its endorsement rule to social media in 2009. But several issues continue to puzzle many people. First, what kinds of posts are viewed as endorsements? Second, what circumstances short of direct payments require disclosures? Finally, how can the circumstances of endorsements be disclosed in the limited space of social media? READ MORE
Courtney Love, Yelp and Internet libel: Nevermind, it’s not a trend
Mark Sableman
February 24, 2014
With the Internet, far more communications are published than ever before. And yet the rate of libel suits — claims for damage based on disparaging communications — is much lower than before the Internet. More communications, fewer disparagement claims. It seems counterintuitive. READ MORE
The U.S. data privacy debate, in a nutshell
Mark Sableman
December 19, 2013
Do you want a comprehensive overview of the data privacy debate in the United States? Well, the Government Accountability Office has written one. READ MORE
ISPs and content liability: The original Internet law twist
Mark Sableman
July 9, 2013
Everyone in the publishing/dissemination chain is potentially liable in the bricks-and-mortar world. But through an Internet twist, intermediaries aren’t liable in the Internet world. READ MORE