The First Amendment in 2020: Has the Marketplace of Ideas Crashed?

 The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, a cornerstone of American democracy. In recent years, however, many people have come to question whether we have gone too far in our protection of free expression. Concerns about the corrosive effects of social media, the increasing incidence of hate speech and hate crimes, and the distorting effects of campaign contributions and corporate speech, among other issues, have prompted people to ask if our First Amendment law gets things right. Where are we, how did we get here, and where do we go next? Please join us to hear the thoughts of University of Michigan Law School Professor Len Niehoff.

 Bio:

Len Niehoff is a professor at the University of Michigan Law School and is Of Counsel to the Honigman law firm. He teaches courses in First Amendment, Media Law, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Ethics, and Law & Theology and has taught a small seminar in the history of banned books. He is the author of more than 100 articles, many on freedom of speech, and is currently working on books on the First Amendment and the Salem Witch Trials. He has represented media clients in First Amendment cases for more than 35 years and is a nationally recognized practitioner in the field.

This event is open to all, but you must register in order to receive the Zoom link to join the meeting on October 21.  Be sure to include your questions for Prof. Niehoff when you register so we can have them ready for Q&A