PrF:MVV418K Freedom of Speech - Course Information

MVV418K Freedom of Speech in the Internet Age

Faculty of Law
Spring 2025

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Peter R. Kolker (lecturer), doc. JUDr. Tereza Kyselovská, Ph.D. (deputy)

Guaranteed by

doc. JUDr. Tereza Kyselovská, Ph.D.
Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Supplier department: Faculty of Law

Timetable of Seminar Groups

MVV418K/01: Tue 25. 3. 10:00–11:40 041, Wed 26. 3. 10:00–11:40 041, Thu 27. 3. 10:00–11:40 041, 12:00–13:40 041, Mon 31. 3. 14:00–15:40 041, 16:00–17:40 041, Tue 1. 4. 14:00–15:40 041, 16:00–17:40 041, Wed 2. 4. 10:00–11:40 041, Thu 3. 4. 16:00–17:40 041

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 30/30, only registered: 3/30

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 59 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Learning outcomes

The course will discuss trends in different societies (E.U., Czech Republic and the U.S.) concerning speech and responsibility for it. The goal is for students to develop an analytical framework so they can better understand these policies and legal considerations.

Syllabus

Class I
Definition of “speech”: to include oral, written, graphic, artistic and Content available through media such as the internet.
Explanation of “public” and “private” speech and of public organizations and private organizations.
Class II
What are the existing regulations provided by the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 11) and of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Class III & IV
What speech is or is not protected: comparison of E.U. and U.S. laws and a definition and application of “hate speech”, defamation, threats, approval of illegal conduct and disclosure of personal information.
Class V
Comparison of treatment or private companies that demonstrate a public function: For example, can speech by political persons be restricted in a privately operated educational institution ?
Class VI
When does a private company fulfill a public function? For example, can a privately owned shopping center that is open to the public be allowed to restrict the political speakers at its conferences?
Class VII
Are Social Media platforms (e., g., “X”, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) private or public, considering their ownership but also their function?
Can they be regulated if they are privately owned?
Class VIII
Can privately owned social media companies be required to provide content moderation (that is, restrictions in what is posted)? How can such a requirement be enforced and who pays for it?
Class IX
Should social media companies be liable (legal responsible) for what is posted on their websites by contributors?
Does it matter if the contributors are paid for their content?
Class X
How should minors (under age 18) be protected from what is made available on social media? Who should enforce those protections and how are they paid for?
What changes in permitted speech can be expected in the next 10 years?

Literature

Written materials will be provided to students through posting 10 days before the first class, A new set of materials will be provided for the second week.

Teaching methods

Class participation will be encouraged and class will be held in an informal manner. Some classes will expect group participation where the students will debate different positions.

Assessment methods

Students will be asked to submit a 5 – 7 page paper for a final grade. Students will select from two discussion questions to be outlined. Papers will be due at or soon after the last class and will be reviewed and commented by the instructor.

PrF:MVV418K Freedom of Speech - Course Information

MVV418K Freedom of Speech in the Internet Age

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