Global Free Speech Summit 2024 Held Virtually

A global summit on free speech hosted by Vanderbilt will feature prominent speakers such as Salman Rushdie and Masih Alinejad, aiming to address contemporary issues surrounding freedom of expression. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Justice is deliberating a draft law requiring consent from all parties for online broadcasting of court proceedings. In Europe, Commissioner Thierry Breton has warned that the EU will monitor online discussions for harmful content, raising concerns about foreign influence on American free speech amidst ongoing scrutiny of social media platforms like X. Additionally, discussions about the First Amendment's implications are intensifying, with figures like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton calling for tighter online regulations. The rise of decentralized networks is also being highlighted as a potential solution to combat censorship and promote internet freedom, contrasting with the limitations posed by centralized systems. The global context of free speech protections is under threat, with activists pointing to a 'free speech recession' affecting multiple countries worldwide.