Morgan Wilsmann
@mwils.bsky.social
Policy Analyst @ Public Knowledge
Content Moderation, Platform Regulation, News Policy
Content Moderation, Platform Regulation, News Policy
Pinned
Morgan Wilsmann
@mwils.bsky.social
· Dec 9
I don't envy the jobs of Trust and safety teams. Content moderation is a thankless but crucial job that keeps platforms robust spaces for free expression.
Read what we have to say about policy interventions to balance free expression and content mod: publicknowledge.org/centering-pu...
Read what we have to say about policy interventions to balance free expression and content mod: publicknowledge.org/centering-pu...
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
We just held the first ever People's Oversight Hearing, where we convened policy experts and civil society leaders to demand accountability from the agencies responsible for protecting the public interest. Join us and tell Congress to hold oversight hearings now: www.votervoice.net/PublicKnowle...
November 18, 2025 at 3:58 PM
We just held the first ever People's Oversight Hearing, where we convened policy experts and civil society leaders to demand accountability from the agencies responsible for protecting the public interest. Join us and tell Congress to hold oversight hearings now: www.votervoice.net/PublicKnowle...
Frmr FCC Chair Tom Wheeler, FIRE Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere and Gigi Sohn of Benton Institute on now as witnesses for the FCC oversight hearing portion !
Our full-day event "The People's Oversight Hearing" is starting shortly! Tune in to our Livestream at 9 AM using the link below:
youtube.com/live/av6Ks0g...
youtube.com/live/av6Ks0g...
The People’s Oversight Hearing
YouTube video by Public Knowledge
youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Frmr FCC Chair Tom Wheeler, FIRE Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere and Gigi Sohn of Benton Institute on now as witnesses for the FCC oversight hearing portion !
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Lawsuits against AI developers are sparking pushes for new chatbot regulations to protect kid and teen users — but some of these proposals are likely to introduce new concerns. Read the latest from Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/kids-teens-s...
publicknowledge.org/kids-teens-s...
Kids & Teens Safety Regulations for AI Chatbots Could Backfire
Tragic stories of teen deaths connected to usage of AI chatbots are providing fuel for legislation to hold AI developers liable.
publicknowledge.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Lawsuits against AI developers are sparking pushes for new chatbot regulations to protect kid and teen users — but some of these proposals are likely to introduce new concerns. Read the latest from Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/kids-teens-s...
publicknowledge.org/kids-teens-s...
Checking in from the hearing - Google and Meta are sticking to their guns saying they were pressured by Biden admin to take down content, but reiterates that content decisions were made independently.
Fellow PK-er @haroldfeld.bsky.social is testifying during Senator Cruz’s “Shut Your App” hearing today — hoping to be more productive than the half dozen other “censorship industrial complex” hearings blaming Biden admin for suppressing speech.
**NEW TIME AND WITNESS UPDATE** Part II of Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “Shut Your App: How Uncle Sa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
October 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Checking in from the hearing - Google and Meta are sticking to their guns saying they were pressured by Biden admin to take down content, but reiterates that content decisions were made independently.
Fellow PK-er @haroldfeld.bsky.social is testifying during Senator Cruz’s “Shut Your App” hearing today — hoping to be more productive than the half dozen other “censorship industrial complex” hearings blaming Biden admin for suppressing speech.
**NEW TIME AND WITNESS UPDATE** Part II of Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “Shut Your App: How Uncle Sa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Fellow PK-er @haroldfeld.bsky.social is testifying during Senator Cruz’s “Shut Your App” hearing today — hoping to be more productive than the half dozen other “censorship industrial complex” hearings blaming Biden admin for suppressing speech.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Though the name might sound familiar, Instagram's new PG-13 ratings system has little in common with its film industry counterpart. The latest from Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/instagram-pg...
publicknowledge.org/instagram-pg...
Instagram's Borrowed Credibility: Why its “PG-13 Ratings” Initiative Falls Short
The social media platform's new content rating system has some major differences from its film industry counterpart.
publicknowledge.org
October 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Though the name might sound familiar, Instagram's new PG-13 ratings system has little in common with its film industry counterpart. The latest from Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/instagram-pg...
publicknowledge.org/instagram-pg...
On November 12, join @publicknowledge.bsky.social for "The People’s Oversight Hearing." Hear from lawmakers, former agency officials, & civil society leaders to disuss regulatory failures and Congress’s abdication of oversight responsibility.
The People’s Oversight Hearing
All Day event
publicknowledge.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On November 12, join @publicknowledge.bsky.social for "The People’s Oversight Hearing." Hear from lawmakers, former agency officials, & civil society leaders to disuss regulatory failures and Congress’s abdication of oversight responsibility.
Some closing thoughts:
The likes of Sean Davis seem to think the government censorship issue is less of a problem now bc Trump & FCC are so brazen about it. And ultimately, as Berenson emphasized, the lack of transparency in federal gov. comms w/ platforms is, retrospectively, problematic
The likes of Sean Davis seem to think the government censorship issue is less of a problem now bc Trump & FCC are so brazen about it. And ultimately, as Berenson emphasized, the lack of transparency in federal gov. comms w/ platforms is, retrospectively, problematic
Hearing is well underway. There's a lot of abstract "government censorship happened but I dont know how" from Sean Davis. Kimmelman, former PK CEO, expresses concerns about media ownership and the control of dominant social media platforms. Berenson has legitimate concerns over lack of transparency
Another censorship hearing today! This one headed by Sen. Ted Cruz in Cmte on Commerce, Science & Transport. It coincides with release of report on "censorship campaign conducted in secret by the Biden administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)"
October 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Some closing thoughts:
The likes of Sean Davis seem to think the government censorship issue is less of a problem now bc Trump & FCC are so brazen about it. And ultimately, as Berenson emphasized, the lack of transparency in federal gov. comms w/ platforms is, retrospectively, problematic
The likes of Sean Davis seem to think the government censorship issue is less of a problem now bc Trump & FCC are so brazen about it. And ultimately, as Berenson emphasized, the lack of transparency in federal gov. comms w/ platforms is, retrospectively, problematic
Hearing is well underway. There's a lot of abstract "government censorship happened but I dont know how" from Sean Davis. Kimmelman, former PK CEO, expresses concerns about media ownership and the control of dominant social media platforms. Berenson has legitimate concerns over lack of transparency
Another censorship hearing today! This one headed by Sen. Ted Cruz in Cmte on Commerce, Science & Transport. It coincides with release of report on "censorship campaign conducted in secret by the Biden administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)"
Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “Shut Your App: How Uncle Sa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
October 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Hearing is well underway. There's a lot of abstract "government censorship happened but I dont know how" from Sean Davis. Kimmelman, former PK CEO, expresses concerns about media ownership and the control of dominant social media platforms. Berenson has legitimate concerns over lack of transparency
Another censorship hearing today! This one headed by Sen. Ted Cruz in Cmte on Commerce, Science & Transport. It coincides with release of report on "censorship campaign conducted in secret by the Biden administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)"
Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “Shut Your App: How Uncle Sa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
October 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Another censorship hearing today! This one headed by Sen. Ted Cruz in Cmte on Commerce, Science & Transport. It coincides with release of report on "censorship campaign conducted in secret by the Biden administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)"
Ted Cruz and broken clocks. Calls out FCC Chair Carr's censorship threats, turns around an almost immediately tries strongarm Wikipedia for having "left-wing bias".
Reminder to Cruz: 1A means Wikipedia has no obligation to be "neutral". ("neutral" is entirely subjective anyway)
Reminder to Cruz: 1A means Wikipedia has no obligation to be "neutral". ("neutral" is entirely subjective anyway)
Ted Cruz picks a fight with Wikipedia, accusing platform of left-wing bias
Cruz sends letter demanding answers from Wikimedia Foundation.
arstechnica.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Ted Cruz and broken clocks. Calls out FCC Chair Carr's censorship threats, turns around an almost immediately tries strongarm Wikipedia for having "left-wing bias".
Reminder to Cruz: 1A means Wikipedia has no obligation to be "neutral". ("neutral" is entirely subjective anyway)
Reminder to Cruz: 1A means Wikipedia has no obligation to be "neutral". ("neutral" is entirely subjective anyway)
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Judge Young: "The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence." An extraordinary, historic victory for democratic freedom. knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Says Trump Administration Violated First Amendment By Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Judge Young: "The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence." An extraordinary, historic victory for democratic freedom. knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
Last Friday's dismissal of Trump's frivolous $15bn defamation suit against NYT seems like old news. But Trump's attorneys are likely to try to resubmit the complaint. NYT may be able to withstand the suit (again), but most news outlets can't. That's why federal anti-SLAPP law is urgently needed.
President Trump's latest lawsuit against the @nytimes.com is just yet another in a series of filings to threaten freedom of the press. Read more in the latest from Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social at the link below:
publicknowledge.org/trump-defama...
publicknowledge.org/trump-defama...
The Latest Trump-NYT Defamation Suit is to Silence Speech, not Make Journalism Better
This latest defamation suit will not be the one that overturns the Sullivan doctrine, but President Trump is unlikely to give up.
publicknowledge.org
September 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Last Friday's dismissal of Trump's frivolous $15bn defamation suit against NYT seems like old news. But Trump's attorneys are likely to try to resubmit the complaint. NYT may be able to withstand the suit (again), but most news outlets can't. That's why federal anti-SLAPP law is urgently needed.
FCC Chair Carr knows regulatory pressure is effective at making broadcasters fall in line by silencing Trump's opponents. It's a shame he uses the murder of a free speech advocate to censor critics' speech.
Carr himself said censorship is a threat to democracy. He should listen to his own words.
Carr himself said censorship is a threat to democracy. He should listen to his own words.
Last night, ABC abruptly pulled @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social off the air, following backlash from conservatives in response to Kimmel’s statements about the reaction to the killing of right-wing activist and media personality Charlie Kirk. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
Public Knowledge Condemns Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
September 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
FCC Chair Carr knows regulatory pressure is effective at making broadcasters fall in line by silencing Trump's opponents. It's a shame he uses the murder of a free speech advocate to censor critics' speech.
Carr himself said censorship is a threat to democracy. He should listen to his own words.
Carr himself said censorship is a threat to democracy. He should listen to his own words.
Tuning in to the House Judiciary hearing "Europe's Threat to American Speech and Innovation". Rep. Jim Jordan is repeating his frankly tired claims about the censorship complex, Biden era jaw jawboning. Name-dropped Twitter files journos Shellenberger and Taibbi for helping "expose" censorship.
Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation
YouTube video by House Judiciary GOP
www.youtube.com
September 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Tuning in to the House Judiciary hearing "Europe's Threat to American Speech and Innovation". Rep. Jim Jordan is repeating his frankly tired claims about the censorship complex, Biden era jaw jawboning. Name-dropped Twitter files journos Shellenberger and Taibbi for helping "expose" censorship.
On Monday, Sept. 8, join us for a panel event on online #childsafety! I'll be moderating a panel digging into product liability lawsuits, and how such cases may impact the design of social media platforms with kids in mind.
RSVP today at the link below:
RSVP today at the link below:
The Kids Aren't Alright Online: Building a Safer, Better Internet
All Day Event
www.eventbrite.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
On Monday, Sept. 8, join us for a panel event on online #childsafety! I'll be moderating a panel digging into product liability lawsuits, and how such cases may impact the design of social media platforms with kids in mind.
RSVP today at the link below:
RSVP today at the link below:
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
A small cartel of billionaires and conglomerates dominates the U.S. media landscape. And too many of these companies are caving to Trump.
Check out our Media Capitulation Index to learn more: https://www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
Check out our Media Capitulation Index to learn more: https://www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
August 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A small cartel of billionaires and conglomerates dominates the U.S. media landscape. And too many of these companies are caving to Trump.
Check out our Media Capitulation Index to learn more: https://www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
Check out our Media Capitulation Index to learn more: https://www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
YouTube has begun its rollout of an age estimation system using machine learning, in order to provide what they call the "best and most age appropriate" experience for its users. @mwils.bsky.social explains how this might have unexpected consequences for many.
August 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
YouTube has begun its rollout of an age estimation system using machine learning, in order to provide what they call the "best and most age appropriate" experience for its users. @mwils.bsky.social explains how this might have unexpected consequences for many.
If you're paying attention to the age verification rollout in the UK for the Online Safety Act, you're seeing how messy it can be to age-gate content from kids.
This new piece from me argues: if age verification is a necessary evil, age-gate the high-risk features of platforms - not the content.
This new piece from me argues: if age verification is a necessary evil, age-gate the high-risk features of platforms - not the content.
Weighing in on the Age Verification Debate: Risk-Based Approaches To Minimizing Harm for Child Users
The worst online harms to children stem not simply from exposure to indecent content, but from design features that facilitate harmful interactions or compulsive use.
publicknowledge.org
August 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
If you're paying attention to the age verification rollout in the UK for the Online Safety Act, you're seeing how messy it can be to age-gate content from kids.
This new piece from me argues: if age verification is a necessary evil, age-gate the high-risk features of platforms - not the content.
This new piece from me argues: if age verification is a necessary evil, age-gate the high-risk features of platforms - not the content.
New Paper from Public Knowledge on Child Online Safety:
"Rather than asking children to navigate exploitative systems or parents to police every online interaction their kids have, we the people should demand that companies build platforms that are safe for everyone by default."
Read it here:
"Rather than asking children to navigate exploitative systems or parents to police every online interaction their kids have, we the people should demand that companies build platforms that are safe for everyone by default."
Read it here:
The Kids Aren't Alright Online: How To Build a Safer, Better Internet for Everyone
This paper discusses the need for policymaking that prioritizes making the internet safer and privacy-protective for everyone and outlines how to get there.
publicknowledge.org
August 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New Paper from Public Knowledge on Child Online Safety:
"Rather than asking children to navigate exploitative systems or parents to police every online interaction their kids have, we the people should demand that companies build platforms that are safe for everyone by default."
Read it here:
"Rather than asking children to navigate exploitative systems or parents to police every online interaction their kids have, we the people should demand that companies build platforms that are safe for everyone by default."
Read it here:
Around DC on September 8th? Swing by the Intercontinental Hotel in the Wharf for a full-day event on Child Online Safety. @publicknowledge.bsky.social aims to push the conversation beyond KOSA and Age Verification to solutions that reduce harm while preserving free expression.
Register here:
Register here:
The Kids Aren't Alright Online: Building a Safer, Better Internet
All Day Event
www.eventbrite.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Around DC on September 8th? Swing by the Intercontinental Hotel in the Wharf for a full-day event on Child Online Safety. @publicknowledge.bsky.social aims to push the conversation beyond KOSA and Age Verification to solutions that reduce harm while preserving free expression.
Register here:
Register here:
Public Knowledge is proud to announce this year’s awardees for the 22nd Annual IP3 Awards! RSVP today to join us for this prestigious ceremony celebrating these trailblazers in tech policy.
publicknowledge.org/IP3Awards
publicknowledge.org/IP3Awards
22nd Annual IP3 Awards
22nd Edition
publicknowledge.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Public Knowledge is proud to announce this year’s awardees for the 22nd Annual IP3 Awards! RSVP today to join us for this prestigious ceremony celebrating these trailblazers in tech policy.
publicknowledge.org/IP3Awards
publicknowledge.org/IP3Awards
This is the right decision. Products Liability isn't relevant here. Plaintiffs tried to disentangle algorithmically promoted radicalizing content from the content itself, but its still ultimately about the content , and therefore Section 230 protected. I wrote about it here:
July 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This is the right decision. Products Liability isn't relevant here. Plaintiffs tried to disentangle algorithmically promoted radicalizing content from the content itself, but its still ultimately about the content , and therefore Section 230 protected. I wrote about it here:
The stipulations in this merger aren't a shock, frankly. It is weird to keep the news distortion docket open despite CBS having met the original complaint's demands.
Yesterday, the FCC released its Order approving the $8 billion Paramount Global & Skydance merger.
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
FCC Formally Approves Paramount Global/Skydance Media Merger in Deal Likely To Harm Consumers, Free Press
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
July 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The stipulations in this merger aren't a shock, frankly. It is weird to keep the news distortion docket open despite CBS having met the original complaint's demands.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Yesterday, the FCC released its Order approving the $8 billion Paramount Global & Skydance merger.
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
FCC Formally Approves Paramount Global/Skydance Media Merger in Deal Likely To Harm Consumers, Free Press
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Yesterday, the FCC released its Order approving the $8 billion Paramount Global & Skydance merger.
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social:
The Order imposes unprecedented merger conditions—notably an agreement that the new entity will not engage in any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Our statement from @mwils.bsky.social: