Beyond the Filter

Beyond the Filter · c4osl.org

Beyond the Filter is a podcast about censorship. It includes censorship through laws, self-censorship, and corporate censorship. It includes censorship of art and fiction, censorship of political dissent, and censorship of self-expression, especially when it comes to sex and gender. It also looks at the reasons why we censor, the effects of censorship, and alternatives to censorship.

13 episodes

2mo ago latest

monthly cadence

English language

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Episodes 13

Beyond the Filter: Cyber Harassment Support
2mo ago
In this episode of Beyond the Filter, Brandy and Jeremy host Varsha Vaishali, founder of Cyber Harassment Support, to explore the multifaceted issue of cyber harassment. They delve into practical support strategies, the evolving landscape of online abuse, and innovative solutions to make digital spaces safer for all. Key Topics: The core mission and scope of Cyber Harassment Support (CHS) in raising awareness, prevention, and victim navigation Why practical support is crucial beyond reporting and blocking Types of common online harms: sextortion, doxing, impersonation, AI-enabled scams The imp
Beyond the Filter: Sexual Content Online: Who Gets Protected and Who Gets Policed?
6mo ago
In the season finale of Beyond the Filter, Jeremy and Brandy are joined by Shambhawi Paudel (ILGA Asia) and Mar Díaz (digital rights and LGBTQ advocate) for a wide-ranging conversation on censorship, platform power, and queer expression across Europe and Asia. From colonial-era morality laws and online entrapment in parts of Asia to shadowbanning, algorithmic bias, and the limits of the EU’s Digital Services Act, the episode explores how governments and platforms alike are reshaping digital space in the name of “safety.” The guests examine why sex workers and LGBTQ+ communities are often first
Beyond the Filter: Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
7mo ago
In this episode of Beyond the Filter, Brandy and Jeremy examine how gender-based harm is being amplified by digital platforms and AI tools, using the recent Grok scandal on X as a case study. The chatbot’s ability to generate sexualized, non-consensual images of real women and girls exposed serious failures in platform governance and safeguards beyond-the-filter-ep-11. Joining the discussion is Sofia Bonilla, Director of Strategy & Partnerships at the Integrity Institute, who explains what TFGBV is, who is most vulnerable to it, and why online abuse often escalates into lasting psychological,
Beyond the Filter: Australia’s Under 16 Social Media Ban
8mo ago
This episode discusses Australia’s groundbreaking social media minimum age law, which mandates that platforms block users under 16. The conversation explores the implications of this law on free expression, mental health, cyberbullying, and the responsibilities of both the government and parents. It also delves into the enforcement challenges and the potential impact on adult users’ privacy, while considering alternative approaches to protecting children online without infringing on their rights. Further reading for this episode Australian social media minimum-age law & age assurance Online Sa
Beyond the Filter: Drawing the Line Watchlist
8mo ago
In this special edition of Beyond the Filter, hosts Brandy Brightman and Jeremy Malcolm present the global launch of the Drawing the Line Watchlist—a groundbreaking report examining how ten countries around the world are increasingly blurring the line between personal expression (art, fiction, advocacy, consensual adult material) and lived abuse involving real victims. Joined by three members of the project’s Advisory Board—Emma Shapiro, Ashley Remminga, and Zora Rush—this live podcast-webinar explores how censorship, moral panic, and poorly drafted laws are reshaping the digital landscape for
Beyond the Filter: Fantasy Sexual Materials and Offending
10mo ago · 42:40
Hosts Brandy and Jeremy talk with Dr. Craig Harper of Nottingham Trent University about his research on whether fantasy sexual materials—like AI-generated images, cartoons, or sex dolls—are linked to real-world offending. Dr. Harper explains that, despite common policy assumptions, there’s no evidence such materials increase risk. Across multiple studies, his team has found no connection between fictional sexual content and offending, and in some cases, higher sexual satisfaction may even relate to lower self-reported risk. He discusses the ethical limits of this research, why criminalization
Beyond the Filter: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel
11mo ago · 33:13
Brandy and Jeremy unpack the political turmoil after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They highlight the double standards in how violence is mourned across party lines and how Kirk’s death was used to justify sweeping crackdowns—from visa cancellations to labeling Antifa a terrorist group. The hosts then explore the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after he mocked the right’s narrative, exposing how Trump-era pressure on media threatens free speech. With historical parallels to authoritarian propaganda, they warn of growing censorship while noting the pushback that forced Kim
Beyond the Filter: Age Verification, Payments, Porn, and Censorship
12mo ago · 51:29
Brandy and Jeremy speak with journalist Michael McGrady Jr about two growing threats to online sexual expression: financial censorship and age verification laws. They discuss recent crackdowns, including the financial censorship of adult games on Steam and itch.io, and the effects of the UK’s Online Safety Act requiring ID checks for many sites. Michael explains how these measures harm both privacy and the livelihoods of sex workers, game developers, and queer creators. Learn how long-running moral campaigns combined with corporate risk aversion are creating a perfect storm for the suppression
Beyond the Filter: Fan Refuge
1y ago · 32:51
In this episode of Beyond the Filter, hosts Jeremy and Brandy delve into the creation of Fan Refuge, a new social media platform designed for fans by fans. Jeremy shares insights into how Fan Refuge aims to provide a censorship-free space while ensuring user safety through innovative tools and community guidelines. Discover the challenges and inspirations behind this project, and learn how Fan Refuge plans to stand out in the landscape of fan websites. Join us as we explore the future of fan communities online. The post Beyond the Filter: Fan Refuge appeared first on Center for Online Safety a
Beyond the Filter: Fanfic arrests in China
1y ago · 43:32
In this episode, hosts Jeremy and Brandy speak with F15-H (Fish), an artist from Hong Kong now living in mainland China, about a shocking wave of arrests targeting fanfiction writers on the Chinese platform MyHD Books. Over 500 authors—predominantly young women and college students—were arrested in May on charges of public indecency, facing penalties of up to 10 years in prison simply for writing erotic fanfiction. Fish reveals how these arrests were triggered when the Taiwan-based platform introduced monetization features, giving authorities a pretext to crack down on content that had existed
Beyond the Filter: Aurélie Petit on Censorship of Animated Porn and its Limits
1y ago
This month on Beyond the Filter, Brandy and Jeremy are joined by Aurélie Petit, PhD candidate in Film Studies at Concordia University […] The post Beyond the Filter: Aurélie Petit on Censorship of Animated Porn and its Limits appeared first on Center for Online Safety and Liberty.
Beyond the Filter: Project 2025
1y ago · 55:54
Under Trump and Project 2025, censorship isn’t creeping in — it’s charging full force. From gutting public media and defunding the arts […] The post Beyond the Filter: Project 2025 appeared first on Center for Online Safety and Liberty.
Beyond the Filter: Pilot Episode
1y ago · 39:27
In the inaugural episode of Beyond the Filter, hosts Jeremy Malcolm and Brandy Brightman discuss the complexities of censorship in the digital […] The post Beyond the Filter: Pilot Episode appeared first on Center for Online Safety and Liberty.

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Beyond the Filter

Episodes 13