Stanford Pandemic Policy Panel Two: Misinformation, Censorship, and Academic Freedom

The challenge of balancing public health protection with the preservation of free speech became a focal point of debate during the pandemic. On one side, governments and public health authorities took measures to limit the spread of misinformation, sometimes by restricting certain content on social media and influencing traditional media narratives to align with official guidance. On the other side, some scientists and academics voiced concerns about these restrictions, arguing that they hindered open discourse and the exchange of diverse perspectives. This raises important questions: Does limiting speech during a public health emergency protect the public by reducing harmful misinformation, or does it risk silencing valid dissent and promoting a singular, approved viewpoint?

From left to right: Moderator George Tidmarsh; panelists Scott Atlas, Alex Berenson, Gardiner Harris, Neil Malhotra, Michael McConnell and Jenin Younes.