Award-winning sociologist and cultural observer Tarleton Gillespie assesses both sides of the social media content moderation debate on Sep. 24

Charlottesville, Va., Sept. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
WHAT:
In an age when nearly all individuals are engaged on social media platforms, content moderation has never been more important, or more controversial. These platforms face the challenge of creating an open, democratized space for participation, but also the expectation of defining the appropriateness of a post. Once a hidden task to the public, platforms now continually monitor the contributions that appear online, changing the very character of public discourse. How does this influence the future of our society?

WHO:
Tarleton Gillespie, a principal researcher at Microsoft Research New England and an affiliated associate professor at Cornell University, will address this fundamental question in the first installment of the UVA Engineering Cyber Innovation & Society Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series. This debate is part of his latest book, Custodians of the Internet: Platforms, Content Moderation, and the Hidden Decisions That Shape Social Media, which explains how platforms’ decisions to moderate online discussion have transformed our society.

Gillespie also co-founded the blog Culture Digitally and authored the award-winning book Wired Shut: Copyright and the Shape of Digital Culture, which offered a first look into the digital copyright.

WHEN:        
Monday, September 24, 2018; 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Seating is limited, but registration is available at http://cyberinnovation.virginia.edu, where the event also will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

WHERE:     
Dome Room at the University of Virginia Rotunda
1826 University Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22904

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About UVA School of Engineering's Cyber Innovation and Society Institute: UVA School of Engineering’s Cyber Innovation and Society Institute carries out multidisciplinary research and education initiatives that focus on the complex technical, social and policy challenges posed by emerging cyber innovations, ensuring that cyber technology benefits all of society equally, fairly and dependably.

The Institute has also launched a Distinguished Speaker Series, which will bring cyber, research, and policy thought leaders to the UVA School of Engineering over the course of the year to discuss topics in emerging technologies and assess their impact on society. Each lecture in the series is open to the UVA community and general public.

About UVA Engineering: As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected engineering schools. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs, focused on developing interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Learn more at engineering.virginia.edu.

Elizabeth Thiel Mather
University of Virginia School of Engineering
434-924-1381
emather@virginia.edu