Posted 3/14/08
ANNOUNCING A PEPPERDINE LAW REVIEW SYMPOSIUM
FREE SPEECH & PRESS IN THE MODERN AGE: CAN 20TH CENTURY
THEORY BEAR THE WEIGHT OF 21ST CENTURY DEMANDS?
Pepperdine University School of Law
Malibu, California
Friday, April 4, 2008
8:45 am - 5:30 pm
RSVP: http://law.pepperdine.edu/symposium
by March 21, 2008
OVERVIEW:
During the 20th century, the Supreme Court articulated at
least three major theories that undergird the freedoms of
speech and press - the maintenance of a marketplace of ideas
to elicit truth, the promotion of intelligent self-
governance, and the facilitation of individual self-
realization. These theoretical models have driven the
Court's development and application of specific doctrine in
various areas of free speech law. This conference will
examine whether these theoretical models remain valid and
compelling bases for the continued development of free
speech law in the 21st century in areas presenting major
challenges of our modern age. In particular, this
Symposium will focus on the following important questions:
- Does a liberal tolerance of extremist speech such as
terrorist recruiting propaganda or incitement to
religious hatred, particularly via mass distribution
platforms like the Internet, continue to make sense? The
United Kingdom and other European countries outlaw much
of this type of speech, especially as part of their
counter-terrorism efforts. Should we follow?
- In light of the mushrooming costs of running a political
campaign and other dynamics of the modern election
process, should free speech theory continue to disfavor
campaign spending limits and strict contribution caps
imposed by Congress or state legislatures?
- In the age of mass digital communication technologies,
are the "marketplace" and democratic deliberation models
obsolete? Will democratic culture be preserved? Will
the traditional press continue to be the public's
information gathering and distribution agent, and does
free speech law and theory have anything to say about
that? What free speech model should drive the structure
of mass media regulation in the digital age?
SPEAKERS:
Our panels of distinguished public intellectuals will offer
a wide range of answers to these questions.
Geoffrey Stone, Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service
Professor at the University of Chicago Law School, will
open the conference with an address entitled Free Speech in
the Twenty-First Century: What We Learned in the Twentieth
Century. The Honorable Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge of the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and The
Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, will also deliver symposium
addresses.
SYMPOSIUM FACULTY ADVISOR:
Prof. Barry P. McDonald, Pepperdine University School of Law
SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 4, 2008
8:15 Continental Breakfast
8:45-9:00 Introductory Remarks:
-Dean Kenneth W. Starr, Pepperdine U. School of Law
-Prof. Barry P. McDonald, Pepperdine U. School of Law
9:00-9:45 Opening Address:
Prof. Geoffrey R. Stone, The University of Chicago Law
School: Free Speech in the Twenty-First Century: What We
Learned in the Twentieth Century
9:45-11:00 Panel One: The Regulation of Extremist Speech
in the Terrorist Era
Panelists:
-Prof. Frederick Schauer, Kennedy School of Gov't, Harvard
University
-Dean Rodney A. Smolla, Washington and Lee U. School of Law
-Prof. Nadine Strossen, President, American Civil Liberties
Union
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:30 Panel Two: Regulating Campaign Finances in
Light of Modern Political Campaign Dynamics
Panelists:
-Prof. Lillian R. BeVier, University of Virginia School of
Law
-Prof. Samuel Issacharoff, New York University School of
Law
-Prof. Barry P. McDonald, Pepperdine U. School of Law
12:30-2:00 Lunch and Luncheon Address: Honorable Alex
Kozinski, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit
2:15-2:45 Afternoon Address: Honorable Kevin J. Martin,
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission
2:45-3:00 Break
3:00-4:15 Panel Three: Freedom of Speech and Press in
the Digital Age
Panelists and Specific Topics:
-Prof. Jack M. Balkin, Yale Law School: Democratic Culture
and Free Expression
-David D. Hiller, Esq., Publisher and CEO, Los Angeles
Times: Transitioning from the Paper to Digital Press and
the Relevance (or Irrelevance) of First Amendment Theory
-Prof. Lucas A. Powe, Jr., U. of Texas School of Law: First
Amendment Theory and the Structure of Mass Media
Regulation in the 21st Century
4:15-4:45 Concluding Reflections: Implications for First
Amendment Theory of the 21st Century
Commentators:
-Prof. William Van Alstyne, William & Mary School of Law
-Prof. Eugene Volokh, UCLA School of Law
4:45-5:00 Closing Remarks:
Dean Kenneth W. Starr, Pepperdine U. School of Law
5:00-6:15 General Reception for Speakers and Audience
REGISTRATION:
CLE credit is available. Register online at:
http://law.pepperdine.edu/symposium
by March 21, 2008
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For further information, contact:
CONTACT: Ms. Margaret Barfield
Pepperdine University School of Law
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Tel: (310)506-4653
Fax: (310)506-4266
Email: MAILTO:margaret.barfield@pepperdine.edu
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