The recent decision by Twitter to ban former US president Donald Trump has brought renewed focus on the role of social media and the power of technology companies in enabling and shaping the role of information, and also disinformation, in the public sphere.
Many accept that Trump’s social media rhetoric encouraged protestors to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. However, there remains strong disagreement over the regulation of social media.
- How has social media and new technology changed the way democracy functions in the US?
- What, if any, has the role of government been in regulating social media platforms?
- Should social media companies self-regulate?
- How has the prevalence of social media impacted more traditional media outlets and will regulation of social media platforms expand to broadcasting networks?
- How can the US government work with technology companies to combat issues of disinformation and election interference in the future?
This event is part of the US and the Americas Programme new series: Democracy in the US in Global Perspective and Chatham House’s Digital Society Initiative.
Participants
Suzanne Nossel, CEO, PEN America; Author, Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All; US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, 2009-11
Professor Jack Snyder, Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International Relations, Columbia University
Chair: Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House
