ONLINE EVENT: Deplatforming Trump – Implications for Latin America

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Event Summary This event has passed.

In the days following the violent insurrection at the US Capitol building, Facebook, Twitter and Google suspended the social media accounts of then-President Donald Trump, in Twitter’s case permanently. The “deplatforming” of the US leader is an unprecedented step by social media platforms against what they considered incitement of violence. Many welcomed the measures and were quick to call for similar actions against other political figures. Critics, including some foreign leaders, questioned the authority of private companies to make such consequential decisions, with Mexican President López Obrador claiming Trump was “censored.”

What are the implications for online speech of the decision to deplatform the US president? Should social media companies consider similar steps with respect to political leaders in Latin America? And what kind of regulatory approaches might countries in the region consider in response to the deplatforming development?

Follow this event on Twitter at #LatAmDeplatform@The_Dialogue and @luminategroup. We invite participants to submit questions using the Q&A function in Zoom, the event hashtag on Twitter OR to email questions to meetings@thedialogue.org

Please note that this event will be held in both English and Spanish. Simultaneous translation is available for those who join the event online through the RSVP. 

Opening Remarks:

Michael Camilleri

Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)

Speakers:

Pedro Vaca

Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (@PVacaV)

Vanessa Rubio

Professor in Practice at LSE and former Senator and Deputy Minister of Mexico (@VRubioMarquez)

Mariana Valente

Director, InternetLab (@mrnvlnt)

Javier Pallero

Global Policy Director, Access Now (@javierpallero)

Moderator:

Gabriela Hadid

Principal, Luminate 

EVENT PARTNER 

This event is hosted in partnership with Luminate a global philanthropic organization focused on empowering people and institutions to work together to build just and fair societies. In Latin America, Luminate supports courageous organizations and leaders defending democracy, promoting civic engagement, protecting digital rights and expanding press freedom.

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