Morgan Wilsmann
@mwils.bsky.social
Policy Analyst @ Public Knowledge
Content Moderation, Platform Regulation, News Policy
Content Moderation, Platform Regulation, News Policy
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Stronger privacy laws, limits on manipulative design, transparency requirements, and targeted changes to Section 230 itself could address platform harms without breaking what works. But repeal would be disastrous.
February 12, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Stronger privacy laws, limits on manipulative design, transparency requirements, and targeted changes to Section 230 itself could address platform harms without breaking what works. But repeal would be disastrous.
S230 repeal may seem like an easy way to stick it to Big Tech, but it's not that simple. Platform accountability is needed, but all s230 repeal would do (especially now!) is give powerful people the ability to silence voices they disapprove of.
Today marks the end of our #Section230 30th Anniversary campaign! As Section 230 enters its fourth decade, Congress faces a choice: either pursue thoughtful reform that addresses real harms, or pursue wholesale repeal that would silence the very voices it claims to protect.
February 12, 2026 at 6:39 PM
S230 repeal may seem like an easy way to stick it to Big Tech, but it's not that simple. Platform accountability is needed, but all s230 repeal would do (especially now!) is give powerful people the ability to silence voices they disapprove of.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Last year, Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social laid out two reform ideas that both avoid infringing on either the user or platform’s free expression, and could meaningfully allow for platform accountability for user harm – especially for kids.
Public Knowledge Proposes Section 230 Reforms That Address Harms While Protecting Free Expression
The potential harms of digital content online can be devastating — but removing Section 230 would only devastate freedom of expression in its place.
publicknowledge.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Last year, Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social laid out two reform ideas that both avoid infringing on either the user or platform’s free expression, and could meaningfully allow for platform accountability for user harm – especially for kids.
We see some of the same section 230 repeal ideas pop up year after year - including to replacing "otherwise objectionable" with just "unlawful" to make platforms neutral conduits of speech (driven by the "anti-conservative bias" rhetoric). ...but its not so simple
In her latest blog post, Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social breaks down various Section 230 reform and repeal proposals — and why these ideas won't work as intended.
Assessing Section 230 Reform Proposals in the 119th Congress
Lawmakers cite various reasons for supporting proposals to reform or repeal Section 230. But what effect would these have in practice?
publicknowledge.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
We see some of the same section 230 repeal ideas pop up year after year - including to replacing "otherwise objectionable" with just "unlawful" to make platforms neutral conduits of speech (driven by the "anti-conservative bias" rhetoric). ...but its not so simple
Wrote this after the 1st "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" hearing in the House Judiciary last year. The facts haven't changed since. Yet Repubs continue to waste resources on the POTENTIAL for censorship of Americans in EU, while ignoring real censorship right here in the U.S.
"Instead of trying to influence laws across the Atlantic, Congress would serve American speech rights better by tackling the real censorship happening at home." Read from @mwils.bsky.social on why these hearings are a poor use of time:
The Censorship Alarm Is Ringing in the Wrong Direction
The recent hearing in the House Judiciary on a "foreign censorship threat" was centered on a misleading and ill-informed premise.
publicknowledge.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Wrote this after the 1st "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" hearing in the House Judiciary last year. The facts haven't changed since. Yet Repubs continue to waste resources on the POTENTIAL for censorship of Americans in EU, while ignoring real censorship right here in the U.S.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
And to be clear: Paramount-Skydance buying WBD would be just as bad. That deal would combine two of the Big Five studios, merge the #4 and #5 streaming services, and create a massive sports broadcasting power. Any sale of WBD that deepens media consolidation should be blocked.
February 3, 2026 at 8:38 PM
And to be clear: Paramount-Skydance buying WBD would be just as bad. That deal would combine two of the Big Five studios, merge the #4 and #5 streaming services, and create a massive sports broadcasting power. Any sale of WBD that deepens media consolidation should be blocked.
It's Section 230's 30th birthday, and we're bound to see many, many calls for its repeal. But much of that is driven by a misunderstanding of what S230 does and does not do. Data brokers' attempts to use Section 230 as a shield are one example of where protection begins and ends.
#Section230 turns 30 this year, and it’s still widely misunderstood. While it protects platforms from being held liable for user speech, there are many instances where its protections do not apply — read the latest from @bergmayer.net:
Data Brokers, and Other Things Not Covered by 230
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
February 3, 2026 at 8:29 PM
It's Section 230's 30th birthday, and we're bound to see many, many calls for its repeal. But much of that is driven by a misunderstanding of what S230 does and does not do. Data brokers' attempts to use Section 230 as a shield are one example of where protection begins and ends.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Section 230 isn't just a liability shield for online platforms - it's also essential for news journalism and freedom of expression online. Read more in the breakdown from @mwils.bsky.social in her latest blog post:
publicknowledge.org/section-230-...
publicknowledge.org/section-230-...
January 27, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Section 230 isn't just a liability shield for online platforms - it's also essential for news journalism and freedom of expression online. Read more in the breakdown from @mwils.bsky.social in her latest blog post:
publicknowledge.org/section-230-...
publicknowledge.org/section-230-...
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
...it was never meant to be a blanket exemption from the kinds of economic, safety, and privacy regulations that apply to other businesses. As @bergmayer.net explains, boundaries are important: #Section230 is meant to protect speech, not business practices.
publicknowledge.org/speech-and-c...
publicknowledge.org/speech-and-c...
Speech and Commerce: What Section 230 Should and Should Not Protect
Section 230 plays a role in allowing sites with user-generated content to operate while giving them the ability to moderate their platforms
publicknowledge.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:01 PM
...it was never meant to be a blanket exemption from the kinds of economic, safety, and privacy regulations that apply to other businesses. As @bergmayer.net explains, boundaries are important: #Section230 is meant to protect speech, not business practices.
publicknowledge.org/speech-and-c...
publicknowledge.org/speech-and-c...
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
#Section230 is both one of the most important and most misunderstood pieces of legislation that affect the internet. As its 30th birthday approaches, read the breakdown from @bergmayer.net on what exactly this law does – and why repeal is the wrong approach.
publicknowledge.org/what-section...
publicknowledge.org/what-section...
January 21, 2026 at 4:44 PM
#Section230 is both one of the most important and most misunderstood pieces of legislation that affect the internet. As its 30th birthday approaches, read the breakdown from @bergmayer.net on what exactly this law does – and why repeal is the wrong approach.
publicknowledge.org/what-section...
publicknowledge.org/what-section...
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
We @freepress.bsky.social condemn the invasion of reporter Hannah Natanson's home by FBI agents. We joined together with 30 other press freedom & civil liberties groups with this statement, calling for congressional oversight & reintroduction of the PRESS Act: www.freepress.net/news/31-pres...
31 Press-Freedom and Civil-Liberties Groups Condemn Government Invasion of Washington Post Reporter’s Home
31 press-freedom and civil-liberties groups published a join statement condemning the government invasion of the home of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson.
www.freepress.net
January 15, 2026 at 5:19 PM
We @freepress.bsky.social condemn the invasion of reporter Hannah Natanson's home by FBI agents. We joined together with 30 other press freedom & civil liberties groups with this statement, calling for congressional oversight & reintroduction of the PRESS Act: www.freepress.net/news/31-pres...
Shout out Rep. Menendez's questioning on whether "FCC is an independent agency". Baffled to hear Carr's response to why he wrote that the FCC is indeed independent in Project 2025 was "well, I wrote that in a personal capacity." So does he not actually buy into the unitary executive theory... ?
We have another FCC oversight hearing today, this time in the House Communications & Tech. Subcommittee. Listening to @agomezfcc.bsky.social now - who opens excoriating the FCC Chair for exploiting the public interest standard to justify censorship efforts.
C&T Subcommittee: Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...
energycommerce.house.gov
January 14, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Shout out Rep. Menendez's questioning on whether "FCC is an independent agency". Baffled to hear Carr's response to why he wrote that the FCC is indeed independent in Project 2025 was "well, I wrote that in a personal capacity." So does he not actually buy into the unitary executive theory... ?
We have another FCC oversight hearing today, this time in the House Communications & Tech. Subcommittee. Listening to @agomezfcc.bsky.social now - who opens excoriating the FCC Chair for exploiting the public interest standard to justify censorship efforts.
C&T Subcommittee: Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...
energycommerce.house.gov
January 14, 2026 at 3:43 PM
We have another FCC oversight hearing today, this time in the House Communications & Tech. Subcommittee. Listening to @agomezfcc.bsky.social now - who opens excoriating the FCC Chair for exploiting the public interest standard to justify censorship efforts.
During questioning, FCC Chair Brendan Carr was asked whether the FCC is an independent agency. Sen. Luján specifically cited the FCC website calling it “independent.”
I took a screenshot of the site at 11:54 am
I took another at 12:22 pm and the word “independent” was gone.
#FCCOversight
I took a screenshot of the site at 11:54 am
I took another at 12:22 pm and the word “independent” was gone.
#FCCOversight
December 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
@publicknowledge.bsky.social didn't wait for Congress to finally decide to have an oversight hearing to ensure concerns were put in the public record. Last month, we convened former agency staff, civil society leaders, and members of Congress for the "People's Oversight Hearing"
December 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
@publicknowledge.bsky.social didn't wait for Congress to finally decide to have an oversight hearing to ensure concerns were put in the public record. Last month, we convened former agency staff, civil society leaders, and members of Congress for the "People's Oversight Hearing"
The Senate Commerce Committee's FCC oversight hearing is underway. I'm paying attention to how Senators push Chairman Carr on his censorship efforts. Interestingly, Senator Cruz's opening statement calls for updating comms regs, including repealing news distortion rule.
Chairman Cruz Announces FCC Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced the full committee will convene for a hearing on December 17th ...
www.commerce.senate.gov
December 17, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The Senate Commerce Committee's FCC oversight hearing is underway. I'm paying attention to how Senators push Chairman Carr on his censorship efforts. Interestingly, Senator Cruz's opening statement calls for updating comms regs, including repealing news distortion rule.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
For 25 years, Public Knowledge has fought tirelessly for your rights in the digital era. If you care about defending free expression, securing your privacy, or promoting competition in online markets, we hope you’ll donate to our efforts this #GivingTuesday. Give today: publicknowledge.org/Giving
December 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM
For 25 years, Public Knowledge has fought tirelessly for your rights in the digital era. If you care about defending free expression, securing your privacy, or promoting competition in online markets, we hope you’ll donate to our efforts this #GivingTuesday. Give today: publicknowledge.org/Giving
House E&C CMT subcommittee is currently marking up 18 kids online safety bills
@repyvetteclarke.bsky.social's opening statement is right on: What we need is federal comprehensive data privacy protections, not surveillance & censorship laws.
@repyvetteclarke.bsky.social's opening statement is right on: What we need is federal comprehensive data privacy protections, not surveillance & censorship laws.
CMT Subcommittee Markup
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...
energycommerce.house.gov
December 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
House E&C CMT subcommittee is currently marking up 18 kids online safety bills
@repyvetteclarke.bsky.social's opening statement is right on: What we need is federal comprehensive data privacy protections, not surveillance & censorship laws.
@repyvetteclarke.bsky.social's opening statement is right on: What we need is federal comprehensive data privacy protections, not surveillance & censorship laws.
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
After years of hearings about kids’ safety online, Congress still has little to show for its efforts — and last week's hearing showed few signs of progress. Read the breakdown from Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/the-kids-pac...
publicknowledge.org/the-kids-pac...
The House Throws Spaghetti at the Wall with Messy Kids Online Safety Package
After years of hearings about kids’ safety online, Congress still has little to show for its efforts.
publicknowledge.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
After years of hearings about kids’ safety online, Congress still has little to show for its efforts — and last week's hearing showed few signs of progress. Read the breakdown from Policy Analyst @mwils.bsky.social:
publicknowledge.org/the-kids-pac...
publicknowledge.org/the-kids-pac...
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Brendan Carr is being toasted by all of DC’s communications lawyers.
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Brendan Carr is being toasted by all of DC’s communications lawyers.
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
Reposted by Morgan Wilsmann
Tomorrow at 10:15 EST, @housecommerce.bsky.social is hosting a hearing titled "Legislative Solutions To Protect Children And Teens Online," in which lawmakers will discuss a package of 19 bills aimed at making kids safer online.
December 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Tomorrow at 10:15 EST, @housecommerce.bsky.social is hosting a hearing titled "Legislative Solutions To Protect Children And Teens Online," in which lawmakers will discuss a package of 19 bills aimed at making kids safer online.
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...