In the inaugural episode of Beyond the Filter, hosts Jeremy Malcolm and Brandy Brightman discuss the complexities of censorship in the digital age. They explore how censorship is often driven by moral panic, particularly around issues of safety and sexuality, and how it can backfire, leading to more harm than good. The conversation highlights the importance of creating safe online spaces that respect freedom of expression while addressing genuine concerns about online safety. They introduce the Center for Online Safety and Liberty, an organization aimed at promoting both safety and liberty online, and discuss the challenges posed by simplistic solutions to complex problems, such as age verification laws and the potential repeal of Section 230. The episode sets the stage for future discussions on various topics related to online freedom and safety, including Project 2025 and its potential impact on free speech.
Resources cited in this episode:
- How LGBTQ Content Could Become Illegal, Jeremy Malcolm, 24 March 2025
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One thought on “Beyond the Filter: Pilot Episode”
Hey there!
Thank you so much for your advocacy you are doing here. I can’t wait to hear future podcast episodes! Plenty of mentioned issues I’ve personally had the unpleasant experience of finding out by myself. From the harsh realities of no payment processors who allow anything adult oriented, through self-righteous internet mobs hunting down anything that’s against their personal morals to all of the other censorship on the web restricting everything to do with sex.
I’m part of furry fandom – this is an incredibly queer and sex-positive community, in many ways this is one of rare safe harbors for people wanting to engage in adult content, kink and sometimes “taboo” topics within realm of fiction that are being shouted at from all sides of political spectrum. I’m working on adult content myself and I can feel how incredibly hostile the environment is. I’m also lucky enough to have skill set allowing me to host adult content by myself, making me in part more resistant to censorship of big Internet platforms, but this doesn’t mean that I don’t feel the uncomfortable unease looking at the news about lawmakers and laws making it more and more difficult to host, share or access adult content.
I’m also really happy to hear Brandy has background in philosophy! I find myself agreeing entirely with diagnosis of what’s going on with people feeling this kind of moral superiority, how those people find themselves standing behind rules themselves without thinking what those rules were supposed to prevent as well as where does it come from. There are a lot more points here that I found myself agreeing with.
I’m an instant fan, awaiting for more episodes 🙂