EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 52 MIN
Undersecretary Sarah Rogers on free speech, Europe’s tech crackdown, and the internet she misses
from Mixed Signals from Semafor Media · host Semafor Podcasts
Sarah Rogers, the State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about free speech, tech regulation, and why she’s been rattling the patience of some European governments. Max and Ben press her on confronting Europe over X, the Digital Services Act, and online speech — including accusations that she’s carrying water for Elon Musk and the far right. Rogers traces her worldview back to the early internet, Gawker comment sections, and First Amendment litigation, and explains why she sees today’s speech rules as potentially dangerous.And, don’t miss this week’s bonus episode of Mixed Signals: Max turns the tables on Ben and brings on Semafor CEO Justin Smith to ask the two about their big media news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Sarah Rogers, the State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about free speech, tech regulation, and why she’s been rattling the patience of some European governments. Max and Ben press her on confronting Europe over X, the Digital Services Act, and online speech — including accusations that she’s carrying water for Elon Musk and the far right. Rogers traces her worldview back to the early internet, Gawker comment sections, and First Amendment litigation, and explains why she sees today’s speech rules as potentially dangerous.And, don’t miss this week’s bonus episode of Mixed Signals: Max turns the tables on Ben and brings on Semafor CEO Justin Smith to ask the two about their big media news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
Undersecretary Sarah Rogers on free speech, Europe’s tech crackdown, and the internet she misses
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 15, 2022 ·8m
May 25, 2022 ·20m
May 19, 2022 ·16m
May 15, 2022 ·34m
May 12, 2022 ·1m