[ecrea] CfP Workshop: Role of Soc Media and Internet Companies in Responding to Violent Online Extremism

Call for extended abstracts: VOX-Pol Workshop on the role of social 
media and internet companies in responding to violent online 
extremism.(March 5-6, 2015, Central European University, Budapest)



On March 5-6, 2015, the VOX-Pol network will convene a workshop at 
Central European University in Budapest on the role of social media and 
internet companies in responding to violent online political extremism 
and the impacts on freedom of expression. This call is especially timely 
given the Joint Statement of EU Ministers for Interior and Justice 
issued in the wake of the attacks in Paris which expressed ’ concern at 
the “increasingly frequent use of the Internet to fuel hatred and 
violence.” It further stated that “the partnership of the major Internet 
providers is essential to create the conditions of a swift reporting of 
material that aims to incite hatred and terror and the condition of its 
removing, where appropriate/possible.” In response, concerns over 
freedom of expression and privacy have been expressed, especially over 
the potential for increased surveillance. In order to respond to the 
complexities of violent online extremism in ways that respect freedom of 
expression, privacy and security, there needs to be a better 
understanding of the ways in which the internet is governed, the role of 
technology companies as political intermediaries as well as the meaning 
and scope of relevant human rights, particularly freedom of expression.

The workshop itself will be a participatory gathering with short 
introductory remarks from invited experts followed by discussion and 
debate. If you wish to participate, please submit an extended abstract 
of 300 – 500words. The workshop will feature invited participants from 
civil society, industry, policy making and academia in addition to this 
open call.

VOX-Pol welcomes submissions (policy analyses, case studies, thematic 
overviews, etc.) on the following topics:

· Online extremism and intermediary liability;

· Balancing security, privacy and freedom of expression online in 
addressing violent extremism;

· Policy and practice of take-down requests, blocking, surveillance, and 
filtering of extremist content;

· Violent online extremism and the politics and sociology of algorithms;

· Ethics of policing online content;

· Methods for assessing social media and online extremism policy and 
practice;

· Terms of service agreements of social media and internet companies;

· Human rights and freedom of expression online;

· Corporate responsibility, social media, and online content;

· State security and online privacy.



Extended abstracts should be submitted to (workshop /at/ voxpol.eu) by January 
27, 2015, with ‘Budapest Workshop’ in the subject line. Those selected 
for participation will be notified by February 1, 2015.

A report will be published following the event by Central European 
University’s Center for Media, Data and Society, and will include 
updated extended abstracts.



TRAVEL FUNDING

Travel grants are available for a limited number of selected 
participants.This funding willaim to reimburse the costs of two nights’ 
accommodation (including breakfast) at the workshop hotel and 
transportation (economy class flight booked at least three weeks in 
advance of travel, second class train, public transportation to/from 
airports). Accepted participants are eligible to apply for this funding 
and should detail their estimated travel costs in their submission. 
Those awarded funding will need to submit original receipts, along with 
boarding cards, etc., for subsequent reimbursement.

Tea/coffee and meals will be provided for all participants, during the 
event, including a workshop dinner on the evening of Thursday March 6.

For workshop-related queries, please e-mail (workshop /at/ voxpol.eu) with 
‘Budapest Workshop’ in the subject title.

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