On Wednesday, Texas Democratic lawmakers, anti-hate advocates, and technology industry voices will hold a virtual press conference to discuss the impacts of Texas’s new anti-content moderation law (HB 20).
The social media law – which came into effect following last Thursday’s Fifth Circuit court ruling and right before a tragic act of anti-Black terrorism in Buffalo, New York – legally obligates online platforms to carry hate speech, white nationalism, violent posts, disinformation, and other harmful content.
Press Conference: Texas’s Anti-Content Moderation Law Takes Effect
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
1:00PM ET / 12:00pm CT
Zoom Registration Link
Speakers will include:
- Texas Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D)
- Carlos Gutierrez, Deputy Director & General Counsel, LGBT Tech
- Adam Kovacevich, CEO, Chamber of Progress
- Elizabeth Banker, VP of Legal Advocacy, Chamber of Progress
“As our nation debates how to stop the spread of hate speech and white nationalism online, Texas’ law moves us in the opposite direction by protecting violent and harmful content,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “Texas Republicans should take responsibility for the law they just passed and recognize the serious harm this will do when social media platforms are forced to back off content moderation.”
Last week, Chamber of Progress announced it would file an amicus brief opposing the law as the Supreme Court considers an emergency appeal requesting the preliminary injunction against the law be reinstated. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has also asked Texas AG Ken Paxton to respond to the appeal by the close of business Wednesday. Chamber of Progress also opposed the Texas social media law in the lower courts and as the bill was under consideration in the Texas legislature.
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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future. We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.
Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.