This working group investigates the complex debates on regulatory frameworks for social media platforms in Germany, the United States, and Brazil. We look, in particular, at discourses on the challenges of regulating online speech in a way that respects democratic values, taking into account cultural-specific sensitivities.
Germany’s NetzDG reflects an European regulatory model which has raised concerns about ‘overblocking’, contrasting with the United States’ regulatory model based on Section 230 CDA, which champions platform autonomy and freedom of speech. In Brazil, the debate around the Marco Civil da Internet and current social media disputes underscore unique regulatory challenges in Latin America, where recent violent events have intensified calls for platform accountability.
By conducting a digital discourse analysis on various media sources, this project compares public narratives on platform regulation, identifying key stakeholders, arguments, and communicative strategies. The analysis seeks to reveal how historical and cultural contexts shape national approaches to online speech regulation.
Main research areas
- Platform Governance
- Discourse analysis
- Social media regulation
- Freedom of speech
- Digital methods