Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy

Catalog description

This course will examine contemporary challenges and trade-offs for tech law and policy decision-making presented by false information online. Topics will include private sector content policy approaches, governmental regulatory responses (both U.S. and European), and contemporary litigation challenges in the context of election misinformation; medical misinformation; the spread of misinformation in armed conflict and situations of widespread human rights violations; climate misinformation; and the effects of misinformation on news integrity. In exploring these topics, we will also consider the implications of artificial intelligence for the challenge of managing online misinformation. Along with the faculty, guest speakers from academia and industry thought leaders will present on these topics, followed by a discussion. In addition, students will analyze real-world dilemmas confronting policymakers through practical case studies and will assume the role of a policymaker from either the private sector, the government, or a non-governmental organization as part of each class. Finally, this course will explore regulatory, policy, technological, and other solutions to enhance the integrity of the online information ecosystem and address the growing problem of false information online. Special Instructions: Up to five Law students, with the consent of the instructors, will have the option to write an independent research paper for Law School Research (R) credit. For students in this section (02), the research paper will replace the Final Policy Memo. All other elements used in grading will apply. Students taking the course for R credit can take the course for either 2 or 3 units, depending on the paper length. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments; Final Policy Memo or Final Research Paper. Cross-listed with LAW 4053.