Freedom of expression is one of the most important values of democracy. It is a necessary precondition for the democratic choices of a nation’s citizens. In this public lecture, His Excellency Dr Egils Levits will address the limits of freedom of expression, drawing on different legal traditions in Europe and the United States.

Dr Levits will discuss such matters as: the rule of law and the limits of freedom of expression for both citizens and the press, with respect to both offline and online speech; the nature, role, and de facto regulatory power of big platforms on the Internet; and the role of democratic institutions and the public regulation of freedom of expression on the Internet in Europe, including suggestions for future reform.

About the Speaker

His Excellency Dr Egils Levits is a Latvian politician, political scientist and jurist. He served as the 10th President of the Republic of Latvia (July 2019–July 2023) and was a member of the European Court of Justice (2004–2019). He also served as Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Justice of Latvia from 1993 to 1994, and was ambassador to Hungary, Austria and Switzerland from 1994 to 1995. He was a Judge of the European Court of Human Rights until 2004.

Event program

  • 5:30-6:00pm: registration
  • 6:00-7:00pm: lecture address
  • 7:00-8:00pm: canapé reception
 

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