New Podcast “Otherwise Objectionable” Explores the Law That Built the Internet—And Why Everyone Wants to Change It

Section 230 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act prevents the internet services we rely on from being sued into oblivion. It’s the reason social media platforms, online marketplaces, and countless other internet services exist as we know them today. It is also one of the most misunderstood laws on the internet. Pundits and politicians on both sides of the aisle want to dismantle it. But why? And what happens if they succeed?

A new narrative-driven podcast, Otherwise Objectionable, hosted by veteran tech journalist Mike Masnick, takes a deep dive into the origins, impact, and future of Section 230. Through immersive storytelling, first-person interviews, and expert analysis, the series uncovers the hidden history of this law and its unintended consequences for speech in the digital age.

The journey starts in the present, with heated debates about Section 230 playing out in the press, Congress, and the Supreme Court. But to understand what’s at stake, Otherwise Objectionable rewinds to the 1990s, following the law’s creation and the intense debates that shaped it. Listeners will hear from the Congressmen who wrote the law—current Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and former Congressman Christopher Cox (R-CA)—as well as leading legal experts, tech pioneers, and critics, including victim’s rights attorney Carrie Goldberg, whose lawsuits have reshaped online accountability.

The series also takes a global perspective, examining how other governments have tackled online speech and liability while exploring the new challenges brought by Web 3 and artificial intelligence.

“The podcast format allows us to dig deep into the human stories behind Section 230 — both from those who shaped the law and those whose lives were shaped by it,” says host Mike Masnick on Techdirt. “At a moment when Section 230’s future hangs in the balance, understanding its past has never been more crucial.”

The fight over Section 230 is shaping the future of the internet. Get the full story—listen to Otherwise Objectionable. Available March 12 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to Otherwise Objectionable Episode 1: The Most Misunderstood Law on the Internet

About the Host

Mike Masnick is a leading technology journalist and the founder of Techdirt, a highly regarded publication covering policy, law, and innovation in the tech industry. His expertise has made him a sought-after voice on issues like internet regulation, online speech, and digital rights.

About Otherwise Objectionable

The true story of the most misunderstood law on the internet. Tech journalist Mike Masnick brings you inside the making of Section 230 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, featuring witnesses to Silicon Valley’s Wild West era, the Congressmen who wrote the law, and innovators who benefited from its balance of innovation and responsibility. Why do Democrats and Republicans both hate this law, how does the rest of the world deal with these issues, and how can it be used to take on new challenges like A.I.?