Tech Policy Podcast

How far can the government go when a president doesn’t like what a broadcaster says? Host Ari Cohn is joined by Berin Szóka (TechFreedom) and Bob Corn-Revere (FIRE) to unpack the escalating fight between ABC and the FCC. From The View and Jimmy Kimmel to ABC’s broadcast licenses, they examine what happens when political pressure collides with the government’s regulatory power—and what it could mean for free speech, the free press, and beyond.
Links:
TechFreedom and Protect Democracy’s amicus brief in ABC v FCC
TechFreedom coalition letter joined by 80+ scholars and organization on FCC abuse of the “public interest” standard
TechFreedom’s Opposition to Petitions to Deny ABC License Renewals
Bob Corn-Revere - Thank You Brendan Carr
Bob Corn-Revere - The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder
Berin Szóka - This Isn’t Ronald Reagan’s FCC
Berin Szóka - Brendan Carr-leone’s war on the First Amendment
Ari Cohn - Commissioner, regulate thyself: The incoming FCC chair is threatening to censor views he doesn't like
JAWBONE Act (S. 4749)

New host Ari Cohn sits down with Taylor Lorenz to unpack the latest push for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), the SCREEN Act, and online age verification. They discuss the free speech and privacy implications of these laws, how government pressure can lead platforms to over-censor, the risks of mandatory identity verification, and why protecting kids online can have consequences for everyone. Ari and Taylor also explore the political forces and moral panic driving tech regulation—and why anonymous speech and the freedom to read may be more important than ever.

Links:

User Mag Substack

User Mag: ICE’s Plan to Monitor Social Media 24/7

The KIDS Act Is Just as Unconstitutional as KOSA ... Just in Different Words

KOSA Still Poses a Grave Threat to First Amendment Rights 

Kids Online Safety Act Threatens the First Amendment and Minors’ Well-Being

The Anti-LGBTQ Internet Censorship Bill Is Back - Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Podcast

Wall Street Journal: How ICE is Weaponizing Social Media Against Its Critics

Corbin is signing off as host. To mark the occasion, he and new host Ari Cohn go on one final super rant about the state of social-media and AI regulation.

Links:

Supreme Court to Hear Violent Video Game Case (https://tinyurl.com/y969cv6r)

India’s Republic of Uncles (https://tinyurl.com/22xbx668)

Save Us, Digital Cronkite! (https://tinyurl.com/35sess4r)

Judge Glock (Manhattan Institute) joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of data center construction in the United States.

Links:

The Surprising Heart of the Data-Center Boom

Dr. Mekhi Dhesi is a space industry executive at Slingshot Aerospace and a space communicator. She joins the show to discuss orbital mechanics, rocket science, black holes, the Fermi paradox, and more. Follow her on Instagram @cosmic_mekhi!