2023-02-27 12:35:00

Free Speech on Trial: Supreme Court Hears Cases That Could Reshape Future of the Internet

Democracy Now! looks at two cases before the Supreme Court that could reshape the future of the internet. Both cases focus on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which backers say has helped foster free speech online by allowing companies to host content without direct legal liability for what users post. Critics say it has allowed tech platforms to avoid accountability for spreading harmful material. On Tuesday, the justices heard arguments in Gonzalez v. Google, brought by the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, who was killed in the 2015 Paris terror attack. Her family sued Google claiming the company had illegally promoted videos by the Islamic State, which carried out the Paris attack. On Wednesday, justices heard arguments in the case of Twitter v. Taamneh, brought by the family of Nawras Alassaf, who was killed along with 38 others in a 2017 terrorist attack on a nightclub in Turkey. Democracy Now speaks with Aaron Mackey, senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who says Section 230 “powers the underlying architecture” of the internet.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Aaron Mackey Democracy Now! Electronic Frontier Foundation Gonzalez v. Google Nawras Alassaf Nohemi Gonzalez Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 Twitter v. Taamneh

Politics

Gay USA

Trump’s AIDS Cuts: Millions Expected to Die Worldwide! | Gay USA 4/23/2025

Trump’s AIDS Cuts: Millions Expected to Die Worldwide! | Gay USA 4/23/2025

Democracy Now!

Is the Free Press Next? Trump's War on Truth and the Media | Democracy Now!

Is the Free Press Next? Trump's War on Truth and the Media | Democracy Now!

FSTV Speaks

One Struggle, One Fight, All Workers Unite! | FSTV Speaks

One Struggle, One Fight, All Workers Unite! | FSTV Speaks

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

Always A Man | This Week In White Supremacy

Always A Man | This Week In White Supremacy

Related

Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Proud Partners