Episode 221: Inside My Canadian Heritage Committee Appearance on Freedom of Expression

Episode 221: Inside My Canadian Heritage Committee Appearance on Freedom of Expression

Author: Michael Geist December 2, 2024 Duration: 37:11
The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has for the past month been conducting a study on protecting freedom of expression. The counters of the study aren’t entirely clear. In fact, after I was invited to appear, I asked for some sense of what the committee was looking to address. There wasn’t much detail, which has really left it open for witnesses to cover whatever issues they like.  I chose to focus my time on two issues: the expression implications of Canadian digital policy and the chilling effect of antisemitism. The two issues have really dominated my attention in recent months. Digital policy – including Bills C-11, C-18, C-63, and S-210 for years now and the antisemitism issues an enormous concern post October 7, 2023.   This week’s Law Bytes podcast takes the listener into the hearing room and the wide range of questions from Liberal, Conservative, and Bloc MPs my opening statement sparked.

Navigating the complex and ever-shifting landscape where technology meets the law requires a guide who understands both the code and the courtroom. Law Bytes, hosted by Michael Geist, offers exactly that. This podcast digs into the real-world implications of digital policy, moving beyond abstract theory to examine how laws and regulations are actively shaping our online lives. Each episode is built around conversations with the people on the front lines: scholars dissecting legal challenges, policymakers drafting the rules, and practitioners facing these issues daily. While the focus is firmly on providing a crucial Canadian perspective, the discussions rightly recognize the borderless nature of the internet, frequently exploring international developments and Canada's place within the global digital ecosystem. You'll hear nuanced analysis on topics like privacy, copyright, platform governance, and telecommunications, all framed within the broader context of societal impact and fundamental rights. The result is a thoughtful and accessible exploration of the forces governing our digital world, making sense of the headlines and anticipating what might come next. For anyone curious about the power structures behind their screens, this podcast serves as an essential and engaging resource.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Law Bytes
Podcast Episodes
Episode 264: Jon Penney on Chilling Effects in the Digital Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
“Chilling effects” is a term people hear all the time: in court rulings, in debates over content moderation, in dealing with online harms, or in news coverage of surveillance and legal reforms. The focus is typically on…
Episode 262: Zack Shapiro on the Claude AI Native Law Firm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
What are the limits of using AI to help run a legal practice? There is much discussion about what an AI future might look like, but with the rapid development of AI tools, the future may be now. The hot AI service of the…