Event Details

Harmful content on the internet is causing increasing concern, how can the law protect us?

There is increasing attention paid to the issue of harmful content on the internet, and how it affects users. While hate-crime content has long been found on the internet, there is a concerted effort to remove such speech through increased moderation and through law and government. However, there is now additional concern about other forms of 'harmful' content on the internet, particularly that which advocates self-harm or suicide. Questions are now being asked about why this type of content is not addressed in a similar way to other harmful content, and also what the role of law and government should be in this area.

In this lecture, Professor Alisdair Gillespie will discuss how we can address such material, by referring to recent case studies involving hate-crime material.

Doors open at 6pm for tea and coffee, and the talk begins at 6.30pm with the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alisdair Gillespie is Professor of Criminal Law and Justice and Head of Lancaster University Law School. Professor Gillespie is recognised as a leading expert on the law of cybercrime, particularly in respect of illegal content. He has written over 60 articles and six books on this topic. He regularly advises police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service and the judiciary on these areas, both within the UK and across Europe. He has acted as a trustee to a number of charities which are concerned with illicit content and has worked with other NGOs to deliver training.