Surveillance Ascendant, Democracy in Free Fall
Dan Bejar

Event

Surveillance Ascendant, Democracy in Free Fall

A convening addressing the threats to speech and privacy enabled by commercial surveillance in our quickly shifting democratic landscape

 

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On May 16, 2025, the Knight Institute will hold a convening to discuss free speech and consumer protection in an era of commercial surveillance—an issue exacerbated by rapidly accruing threats to democracy. The event, “Surveillance Ascendant, Democracy in Free Fall,” is a collaboration between the Knight Institute and the Institute’s Senior Policy Fellow Olivier Sylvain. It will take place in-person at the National Press Club’s Holeman Lounge in Washington, D.C., from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm ET, and will be livestreamed. Refreshments will be served. 

RSVP for in-person and/or virtual attendance.

The times below are estimates and subject to change. 

 

Schedule

  • National Press Club's Holeman Lounge and online

    Welcome

    • Jameel Jaffer, Knight Institute

    Panel 1: Threats to Speech and Privacy

    Tech companies hold substantial power over our public discourse and private data, and as a result, the information economy is more vulnerable to antidemocratic abuse than ever before. This panel will address threats to speech and privacy enabled by commercial surveillance within this landscape.

    Panelists

    • Olivier Sylvain, Knight Institute; Fordham University
    • Additional panelists to be announced

    Moderator

    • Nancy Scola, POLITICO

    Keynote Address and Q&A

    • Speaker to be announced

    Panel 2: Solutions to Further Consumer Protection

    This panel will discuss workable policy solutions to the question of how to further consumer protection while balancing free speech concerns and the need to mitigate privacy risks posed by emerging surveillance technology. 

    Panelists

    • Neil Richards, Washington University School of Law
    • Monique Priestley, Vermont House of Representatives
    • Nathalie Maréchal, Center for Democracy and Technology

    Moderator

    • Nadine Farid Johnson, Knight Institute

    Closing Remarks

    • Nadine Farid Johnson, Knight Institute

Speakers

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