Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics—and How to Cure It

Richard L. Hasen's book "The Future of Truth: How Technology Is Destroying Democracy and What We Can Do About It" offers a road map to control disinformation, embrace free speech, save American elections, and protect democracy. He proposes legal and social measures to ensure reliable information, counter disinformation campaigns, and preserve freedom of ideas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

Introduction:
The United States is facing a critical moment in its democratic evolution. The rise of disinformation, the decline of local news reporting, and the actions of individuals like former President Donald J. Trump have combined to create a climate of uncertainty and distrust. This has profound implications for the health of our democracy, as well as for the ability of American voters to make informed election decisions and hold free and fair elections.

The Problem:
Disinformation is a threat to democracy that manifests in a variety of ways. It can take the form of false information, propaganda, and conspiracy theories that are spread through social media and other channels. This can undermine public trust in institutions, such as the government, the media, and the healthcare system, and can lead to political polarization and social unrest.

The decline of local news reporting has also had a significant impact on the quality of information available to American voters. Local news outlets are often the primary source of information about local issues, such as crime, education, and public health. When these outlets are closed or consolidated, it becomes more difficult for voters to get accurate and reliable information about their communities.

The actions of individuals like former President Donald J. Trump have also contributed to the erosion of democratic norms and institutions. Trump used social media to spread false information, undermine public trust in the election system, and foment a violent insurrection. This has raised concerns about the potential for future presidents to use social media to manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic processes.

The Solution:
To address these challenges, Richard L. Hasen proposes a number of legal and social measures. He argues that the First Amendment should be interpreted in a way that allows for the regulation of disinformation while still protecting freedom of speech. This can be achieved through the creation of new laws and regulations that target the spread of false information, as well as through the promotion of transparency and accountability in social media platforms.

Hasen also suggests that American society should take steps to counter the actions of individuals like former President Donald J. Trump. This can include promoting education about the importance of fact-checking and media literacy, as well as investing in the infrastructure of local news reporting. It can also include promoting civic engagement and promoting the values of democracy and respect for human rights.

In addition to these legal and social measures, Hasen proposes a number of other measures that can help to restore Americans access to reliable information on which democracy depends. These include promoting the development of independent media outlets, promoting the use of fact-checking tools, and promoting the use of digital technologies to improve the transparency and accountability of government institutions.

Conclusion:
The rise of disinformation, the decline of local news reporting, and the actions of individuals like former President Donald J. Trump have created a climate of uncertainty and distrust that threatens the health of our democracy. To address these challenges, Richard L. Hasen proposes a number of legal and social measures that can help to restore Americans access to reliable information on which democracy depends. These measures include the regulation of disinformation, the promotion of transparency and accountability in social media platforms, the promotion of education about the importance of fact-checking and media literacy, and the promotion of civic engagement and the values of democracy and respect for human rights. By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that American voters can make informed election decisions and hold free and fair elections amid a flood of virally spread disinformation and the collapse of local news reporting.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 130 x 210 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300274097