IGF 2020 WS #364 Pandemics: balancing free expression with public safety

Description:

Social media platforms have experienced a large boost in users during COVID-19. TikTok has been described as a relief from coronavirus blues, a way for teens to cope with the pandemic or a family bonding tool. At the same time, COVID-19 has highlighted some of the largest challenges faced by social media platforms today; how to tread the line between freedom of expression and public safety during a pandemic and how to do so in a way that is globally applicable yet locally relevant? This workshop seeks to highlight ways in which social media has been used as a tool for creative expression and relief during the pandemic while at the same time describing the challenges faced by social media platforms as one of the arbiters of public safety during this time. The objective of the session is to come up with a mechanism by which social media platforms can engage with each other and other stakeholder groups during times of crisis in order to better devise policies which preserve freedom of expression and uphold public safety. Agenda Introduction to the session by Moderator Larry Magid, President & CEO Connect Safely Part 1 (30 mins): Social Media Platforms & COVID-19 Video presentations Source of Joy: - Compilation of videos from social media platforms showcasing creative virtual classrooms featuring youth - Compilation of videos across social media platforms showcasing doctors and their creative health tips during COVID-19 Speaker presentations Freedom of Expression vs. Public Safety - Jeff Collins, Global Trust & Safety, TikTok: challenges faced when enforcing government laws about violating social distancing on the platform - Karuna Nain, Facebook: dangerous health trends on the platform and how FB dealt with that - Wafa Ben Hassine, Access Now: major freedom of expression violations witnessed during the crisis how those differed from context to context Part 2 (30 mins): How can social media companies work together and with civil society during times of crisis to address freedom of expression concerns? How can they do this before the crisis occurs? Breakout session - Room is split into 3 groups to discuss the following questions: - How can social media companies co-create policies that uphold freedom of expression while preserving public safety? What types of information should be shared by social media companies with each other and with civil society during the crisis? - How should social media companies interact with users during this time? What types of information must be shared? How can users be involved in creating policies during a crisis? - Is there a formal mechanism needed by which social media companies and other stakeholdergroups can engage with each other during times of crisis? What does that look like? Part 3 (30 mins): Presenting the solutions and conclusion Each group is assigned a lead who reports back to the larger group on their responses Session wraps up with questions from the audience and a list of actions that social media companies and other groups can take back to their respective companies/organizations and can report back on.