The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad Jeff Kosseff - The Future of Free Speech (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_976)
4 snips
Mar 24, 2026 Jeff Kosseff, law professor and author focused on First Amendment and internet law. He explores the idea of a modern free-speech recession. They examine how the internet, AI, misinformation, and power dynamics drive censorship. Discussion covers Section 230’s role, moderation versus liability, comparative international approaches, tenure and academic freedom, and ethical frameworks for speech.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Free Speech Is Foundational To Democracy
- Free speech is foundational to democracy, not just one right among many.
- Jeff Kosseff argues democracies face a "free speech recession" as governments accept speech restrictions to manage perceived harms like misinformation and AI.
Powerholders React To Loss Of Control Online
- Modern expansion of speech (internet + legal protections) created perceived loss of control for powerholders.
- That perceived loss fuels laws and proposals targeting hate, misinformation, and AI to regain control.
Benevolent Motives Still Make Bad Speech Laws
- Kosseff's principle: all speech suppression is harmful even if motivated by benevolence.
- He cites a 2021 bill to expand platform liability for "health misinformation" defined by the HHS Secretary as an example of short-sighted control.
