Social Media and Governance of Speech

(3 Credits)

Social media platforms shape how we understand the world, express ourselves, and navigate both personal and political realities. However, what we see online is only a fraction of the content generated, as platforms actively moderate, filter, and amplify speech through complex algorithmic systems. This course critically examines content moderation mechanisms, AI-driven governance, and legal frameworks shaping digital communication. It explores decision-making algorithms, generative AI, predictive surveillance, and the intersection of human-machine interaction in moderating online discourse. Through case studies of platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, and Snapchat, students will analyze global regulatory models, corporate policies, and the socio-political implications of automated moderation. The course incorporates community fieldwork, site visits, and hands-on experimentation to examine how content governance operates in practice, with a particular focus on digital regulation and platform oversight in the UAE. This course will be offered in June-Term 2025 in Abu Dhabi.