The University of Houston Law Center and The Anti-Defamation League present: Racists, Bigots and the Law on the Internet

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Sep 24, 2012, 04:18 ET

Constitutional scholars to explore free speech, privacy, and hate speech and where to draw the line in cyberspace.

HOUSTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and more than half a billion active websites, the Internet provides a forum where messages can spread at lightning speed. At this moment, extremist publications and films appearing online have sparked protests across the world.

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The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) monitors thousands of hate websites. With the explosion of social networking, websites and applications, it is almost impossible to keep track of the extent to which hate is present on the Internet.

But cyber hate isn't restricted to websites. There are hate e-mails, hate videos, hate rock music, hate text messages. Cyber hate is as pervasive and intrusive as the number of electronic devices each of us owns.

It is impossible to stop. So how do we respond? The University of Houston Law Center and ADL have come together to present a special seminar titled "Racists, Bigots and the Law on the Internet." The seminar features Chris Wolf, partner in the law firm of Hogan Lovells US LLP, founder of ADL's Internet Task Force and ADL's representative in the International Network Against Cyber Hate, and author of a book on Internet hate to be released in 2013; Judson Hoffman, global policy manager, Facebook; Jeffrey Rosen, professor of law at George Washington University with expertise in Constitutional law, criminal procedure, privacy issues and privacy of cyberspace; and Peter Molnar, senior research fellow, Central European University Center for Media and Communication Studies, who co-edited a book on hate speech. University of Houston Law Center Dean Raymond T. Nimmer; and ADL National Commission member and former National Civil Rights Committee chair Marvin D. Nathan will moderate the panel.

Seminar topics include how cyber hate can lead to violence and killing, the pervasiveness of online anti-Semitism, racism, and homophobia, free expression laws and limitations on hate speech, how Internet providers have responded, and the role of education in addressing cyber hate.

The seminar will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 in Krost Hall in the University of Houston Law Center, 4800 Calhoun-Entrance 19. Parking is available in lots 19B and 19C in front of the Law center, with overflow parking in the East garage through the entrance off the Spur 5 access road.

The seminar is free and open to the public and provides two hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit, including one hour of ethics. It is underwritten by the law firms of Nathan Sommers Jacobs and Berg & Androphy.

For more information please visit law.uh.edu.

Media Contacts:
University of Houston Law Center: Carrie Criado, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected]; or John T. Kling, Communications Manager, 713- 743-8298, [email protected].

Anti-Defamation League:
Dena Marks, 713-627-3490, ext .234 Cell: 832-567-8843

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 39,500 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.

About the University of Houston Law Center
The University of Houston Law Center is the leading law school in the nation's fifth-largest legal market. Founded in 1947, it is a top-tier institution awarding Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees. The Law Center is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools.

About Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through information, education, legislation, and advocacy. ADL serves as a resource for government, media, law enforcement, educators and the public.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center