CFP: Free Speech and the United States Constitution

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Journal of Law and Public Policy Fall 2023 Symposium

Topic: Free Speech and the United States Constitution

Date:   November 17, 2023 (speakers are welcome to participate in-person or by Zoom)

University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minnesota)

Perhaps no topic in the American constitutional order presents as many challenges as the question of the place and purpose of Free Speech. The purpose of the Symposium is to explore the entire range of free-speech issues that confront contemporary constitutional law. Thus, papers exploring the following issues are welcome:

 

1. The relationship free speech and expressive activity has with other civil liberties and civil rights (see g., 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis).

2. The use of defamation as a means of policing false statements, even in the area of political speech (see g., Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network).

3. The rising concern with hate speech, and its relationship with classic claims of speech as a protected civil liberty.

4. The rise of disinformation (as, for instance during the COVID pandemic) and the responsibility of private parties (and government agencies) to police it.

5. The responsibility of social media corporations to ensure equal access to all points of view (see g., Anthony Kennedy’s “the vast democratic forums of the internet,” (Packingham v. North Carolina); and NetChoice LLC v. Paxton).

6. The relationship of social media companies, government entities, and claims of censorship as illustrated in matters like the Twitter Files.

7. The relationship of democracy, free-speech, and campaign finance reform in the light of cases like Citizens United.

Proposals should be no longer than 300 words and are due by September 15, 2023. They may be submitted to Professor Charles J. Reid, Jr., School of Law, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) at [email protected].

Papers are to be presented as part of an all-day Symposium at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, on November 17, 2023. The Symposium will assume a hybrid character. Participants may choose whether to present their papers in-person, or electronically, through Zoom. Speakers are expected to describe their work in presentations approximately fifteen to twenty minutes in length. Speakers will subsequently submit formal papers for publication in the University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy. Final drafts of papers are due on or around February 1, 2024.