Welcome to the Official Schedule for RightsCon Toronto 2018. This year’s program, built by our global community, is our most ambitious one yet. Within the program, you will find 18 thematic tracks to help you navigate our 450+ sessions.
Build your own customized RightsCon schedule by logging into Sched (or creating an account), and selecting the sessions that you wish to attend. Be sure to get your ticket to RightsCon first. You can visit rightscon.org for more information.
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Last updated: Version 2.3 (Updated May 15, 2018).
The profound changes wrought by the digital communications revolution are posing an increasingly serious threat to free and fair elections. A central challenge is how to regulate politically partisan speech in the new environment in a way that promotes a level electoral playing field and yet respects freedom of expression. Traditional systems – campaign finance regimes, rules on balance and impartiality in the broadcast media and bans on foreign interference – are either easy to get around or increasingly less relevant. In addition, the dominant online platforms wield enormous powers over speech that could potentially be used to influence elections.
This session will explore these challenges, the impact they are having on free elections and what options there are for technical and/or legal/regulatory solutions that are effective and yet respect international standards on freedom of expression. This panel will be a rare chance for experts from different regions and disciplines to provide critical perspectives on these challenges and put forward new and innovative possible solutions.
