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Policy Forum

The NetChoice Cases and the Future of Online Speech

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Date and Time
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Location
Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
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Featuring
Corbin Barthold
Corbin Barthold

Internet Policy Counsel / Director of Appellate Litigation, TechFreedom

A Bhagwat portrait
Ashutosh Bhagwat

Boochever and Bird Endowed Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality and Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law

Neil Chilson
Neil Chilson

Center for Growth and Opportunity Senior Research Fellow

Steve DelBianco
Steve DelBianco

President and CEO, NetChoice

Cathy Gellis
Cathy Gellis

Attorney

A Kazaryan portrait
Ashkhen Kazaryan

Stand Together Senior Fellow

Nathan Lindfors
Nathan Lindfors

Policy Director, Engine

James Xi
James Xi

Associate, Clement & Murphy PLLC

On February 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton. These cases are likely to have a significant impact on the future of free speech online and the way platforms engage in online content moderation.

With the oral arguments fresh in mind, this multipanel event will feature a fireside chat with Steve DelBianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, before moving on to panels of legal and policy experts who will analyze the Florida and Texas laws at issue in these cases and discuss what happened at oral arguments. The NetChoice cases represent a pivotal moment in the future of First Amendment jurisprudence both online and offline. As such, it is important that Cato provides a forum for understanding not only the Court’s consideration of these cases but also the broader impact such proposals should have. Further panels will discuss the impact the cases will have on the debates over Section 230 and online speech for users, as well as the impact on online content moderation decisions by online platforms.

9:00-9:05 AM

Introduction and Welcome

Jennifer Huddleston, Technology Policy Research Fellow, Cato Institute

9:05-9:20 AM

Fireside Chat

Steve DelBianco, President and CEO, NetChoice
Jennifer Huddleston, Technology Policy Research Fellow, Cato Institute

9:25-10:25 AM

Panel 1: Reactions to the Supreme Court Arguments

Thomas A. Berry, Research Fellow, Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute
Corbin Barthold, Internet Policy Counsel / Director of Appellate Litigation, TechFreedom
Ashutosh Bhagwat, Boochever and Bird Endowed Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality and Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law
James Xi, Associate, Clement & Murphy PLLC

10:25-10:35 AM

Break

10:35-11:35 AM

Panel 2: How the NetChoice Cases May Impact Content Moderation

David Inserra, Fellow for Free Expression and Technology, Cato Institute
Ashkhen Kazaryan, Stand Together Senior Fellow
Nathan Lindfors, Policy Director, Engine

11:35 AM - 12:25 PM

Panel 3: What the NetChoice Cases Illustrate About the Current Online Speech Environment and Future of Online Speech for Internet Users

Jennifer Huddleston, Technology Policy Research Fellow, Cato Institute
Neil Chilson, Center for Growth and Opportunity Senior Research Fellow
Cathy Gellis, Attorney

12:25-12:30 PM

Closing Remarks

12:30 - 1:00 PM

Lunch