Europe's Free Speech Crackdown and the "Censorship Industrial Complex" with Sarah B. Rogers

The conversation centers on the tension between American free speech principles and increasing censorship, particularly in Europe, with Sarah Rogers, Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy at the State Department, offering insights. Rogers highlights the UK's Online Safety Act and the EU's Digital Services Act as examples of regulations that clash with American free speech values, citing instances of individuals arrested for online speech. The discussion covers concerns that these regulations disproportionately target American tech companies, potentially acting as a "censorship tariff." Examples include the fining of X and the pressure on platforms regarding content related to migration and COVID-19. The group also explores the role of NGOs in pushing for stricter content moderation and the implications of AI-generated deepfakes on free speech.