The principles of freedom of expression have been developed over centuries. How are they reserved and passed on? How can large internet gatekeepers be required to respect freedom of expression and to contribute actively to a diverse and plural marketplace of ideas? These are key issues for media regulation, and will remain so for the foreseeable decades. The book starts with the foundations of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and then goes on to explore the general issues concerning the regulation of the internet as a specific medium. It then turns to analysing the legal issues relating to the three most important gatekeepers whose operations directly affect freedom of expression: ISPs, search engines and social media platforms. Finally it summarises the potential future regulatory and media policy directions. The book takes a comparative legal approach, focusing primarily on English and American regulations, case law and jurisprudential debates, but it also details the relevant international developments (Council of Europe, European Union) as well as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Table Of Contents

1. The Foundations of Free Speech and Freedom of the Press 

I. Freedom of Speech in the Age of the Internet 

II. The Category of 'Speech' and the Scope of Protection 

III. Limitation of the Freedom of Speech

IV. Freedom of the Press and Media Regulation 



2. The Regulation of the Internet and its Gatekeepers in the Context of the Freedom of Speech 

I. Online Content Providers as 'Media' 

II. The Regulation of Internet Gatekeepers 



3. Internet Service Providers 

I. Introduction 

II. Obligations of the Internet Service Providers Regarding Illegal Content 

III. The Problem of Network Neutrality 

IV. Censorship by Internet Service Providers 



4. Search Engines 

I. Introduction – The Role of Search Engines in Online Public Sphere 

II. Search Results as Speech 

III. The Liability of Search Engines for Violations of Personality Rights 

IV. The Manipulation of Search Results 

V. Summary 



5. Social Media Platforms 

I. Introduction 

II. Social Media Platforms and the Democratic Public Sphere 

III. The Regulation of Platforms by Legislation 

IV. Private Regulation by Platforms 

V. Summary 



6. Gatekeepers' Responsibility for Online Comments 

I. The Case of Online Comments 

II. The European Court of Human Rights Case Law Relating to Comments – Overview 

III. The Relevant Criteria in the Cases before the European Court of Human Rights 

IV. Main Criticism of the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights 

V. The Case of Social Media Comments 

VI. Summary 



7. The Future of Regulating Gatekeepers 

I. Introduction 

II. Possible Interpretations of Existing Legal Doctrines Concerning the Public Sphere 

III. The Possible Models of Future European Regulation 

IV. Summary