Thursday Lecture Series: Limitations on the Exercise of Free Expression (10/31 - 11/21)   

Freedom of expression is a standard aspiration in modern democratic societies. At the same time, there is a general realization that some limitations of free expression are necessary. This series will examine the challenges involved in setting limits while protecting the vital principle of free expression. The series will deal with disinformation and misinformation, social media regulation, limiting access to books in libraries, hate speech, campus protests, and cancel culture, among other issues.

THURSDAY LECTURE SERIES SPONSORSHIP

This lecture series is sponsored by the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. “The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is proud to sponsor this program and support the ongoing education of Michigan alumni.” For further information, please visit: alumni.umich/education-gateway

Committee Members: Bernie Banet, Richard Barron, Alison Ehrlich, Donna Clack, Todd Grant, Al Paas, Jerry Newman and chair, Craig Ramsay.

Disinformation has been used for centuries as a type of information warfare. Today, technology makes this weapon more potent than ever before. Disinformation threatens our democracy, public safety, and the rule of law. We can mitigate this threat with a number of common sense reforms. And if we can raise awareness of the tactics of disinformation, we can recognize them, identify them, and combat them.

Barbara McQuade is a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where she teaches courses in criminal law, national security, and data privacy. She is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. From 2010 to 2017, Prof. McQuade served as the U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, the first woman to serve in her position. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and its law school.

In this lecture, Dr. Lampe will talk about several factors that make misinformation so effective in the modern environment. He will discuss how people process information and the different cognitive shortcuts that make us susceptible to bad information. In addition, he will discuss how the design and structure of the modern media environment takes advantage of those cognitive features to fuel bad information dissemination.

Cliff Lampe is a Professor and Associate Dean in the School of Information at the University of Michigan. His research is on how the design and use of computing systems affects social processes. He has won multiple awards and recognitions for his research, teaching, and academic service.

Book ban­ning has a long his­tory through­out the world. When a book gets chal­lenged or banned, some­one is try­ing to de­cide what is best for every­one based on their own be­liefs and feel­ings. Ban­ning books means nar­row­ing their world view. It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some individuals in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable. Learn more about the challenges faced by Michigan libraries and what you can do to help safeguard the Right to Read.

Since June 2019, Debbie Mikula has served as the Michigan Library Association’s Executive Director. She places a high priority on any organization or project that creates a sense of place, showcases a community’s authentic heritage, and contributes to the economic prosperity of a region. Libraries are no exception. She is a passionate advocate of arts and culture in the state and on a national basis – having led the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Art Serve Michigan, Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, and the League of Historic American Theatres.

Join FIRE’s Faculty Legal Defense Fund Fellow Graham Piro as he discusses the state of play regarding free speech on campus. What is the legacy of the encampment protests that dominated the end of last semester? What are the biggest challenges to free expression right now? What does the future of the First Amendment look like?

Graham Piro is the Faculty Legal Defense Fund (FLDF) Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He has worked on FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy team for three years where he has defended the rights of faculty and students across the political spectrum.