While online platforms create new opportunities for participation, pluralism and political expression, they also become fertile ground for hostility, disinformation and digitally coordinated harassment campaigns – phenomena that particularly affect politicians and public figures. Moreover, these online spheres pose significant risks to the quality and integrity of democratic debate. Addressing harmful online speech against politicians thus becomes a test case for the resilience of democratic values in the digital age.
From a comparative European perspective, this conference explores diverse legal and policy approaches aimed at safeguarding democratic debate while preserving openness in the digital sphere.
Registration is now open free of charge!
Thursday, 10 September 2026
| 12.00 pm | Lunch and registration | |
| 1.00 pm | Welcome |
Prof. Dr. Antje von Ungern-Sternberg (IRDT) |
| 1.30 pm | I. Harm caused by harmful speech
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Chair: Prof. Dr. Andrew Kenyon, The University of Melbourne
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| 3.30 pm | Coffee Break | |
| 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm | II. Comparison: Freedom of online speech targeting politicians and its limits
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Chair: Prof. Dr. Mark D. Cole, University of Luxembourg
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| 8.00 pm | Dinner |
Friday, 11 September 2026
| III. Freedom of online speech – Legal approaches in the EU | Chair: Prof. Dr. François-Xavier Millet, University of the French Antilles (UA) | |
| 9.00 am | Which Law Governs Free Speech on the Internet? |
Prof. Dr. Tobias Lutzi, University of Augsburg |
| 10.00 am | Free speech targeting politicians in the European Convention on Human Rights |
PD Dr. Björnstjern Baade, University of Bremen |
| 11.00 am | Coffee Break | |
| 11.30am |
Legal approaches addressing online harms for democratic discourse under the DSA |
Chair: Prof. Dr. Paolo Passaglia, University of Pisa
Prof. Dr. Anine Kierulf, University of Oslo |
| 12.30 pm | Concluding remarks and lunch |
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