Both Musk and his MAGA critics are wrong about free speech on microblog platform X
1 day, 16 hours ago

Both Musk and his MAGA critics are wrong about free speech on microblog platform X

Live Mint  

Elon Musk is in a free-speech fight over his decision to demonetize the content of some far-right ‘Make America Great Again’ critics who disagreed with his immigration views on his social media platform X. Similarly, the US government could not censor your speech on social media without violating your First Amendment rights and the platform’s. Musk, for his part, has no leg to stand on when he says that “the First Amendment’s protection is for ‘free speech,’ not ‘paid speech’ ffs." The upshot is that if we want to be honest and accurate, we should recognize that free speech on social media means the First Amendment right of users and the platform to speak jointly and without government censorship. Otherwise, we may forget how the new free speech really works in America—and lose the very First Amendment rights that Americans hold dear.

Social Media Media Social Rights Free Speech Speech Content Musk Platform Amendment Free Bloomberg Maga First Amendment  free  musk  platform  microblog  media  speech  wrong  maga  content  rights  critics  x  amendment  social

History of this topic

Liberals should not quit Elon Musk’s X, leading US lawmaker says
1 month, 1 week ago

Liberals should not quit Elon Musk’s X, leading US lawmaker says

Politico  

“I think that everything he has said publicly is he believes in free and open speech, and we need to have more platforms. Now, I don’t think X should be the only platform,” Khanna told Anne McElvoy for POLITICO’s Power Play podcast. “Not only do I stay, I use it all the time … I don’t think that the answer …

Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the rise of the Free Speech Bro.
55 years ago

Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the rise of the Free Speech Bro.

Slate  

As President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet takes shape, Trump has shown a preference for a very clear type: the free speech bro. On this week’s Amicus podcast, Dahlia Lithwick was joined by professor Mary Anne Franks, author of Fearless Speech: Breaking Free From the First Amendment, to discuss why the metaphorical “marketplace of ideas” works so very much like an actual …

'Free speech is cancelled': Observers alarmed by key Trump ally's latest statement
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

'Free speech is cancelled': Observers alarmed by key Trump ally's latest statement

Raw Story  

A key Donald Trump ally on Saturday made a statement that alarmed onlookers concerned about free speech and fair distribution of justice. Political commentator Brian Krassenstein responded directly to Musk, writing, "Wait, are you suggesting that people should be arrested for posting their opinions or facts that point to the likelihood of foreign interference?" David Santoro, the author of Treating …

Elon Musk’s X sues to block California law that aims to combat election deepfakes
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s X sues to block California law that aims to combat election deepfakes

LA Times  

X, the social media app owned by Elon Musk, has sued California in an attempt to block a new law requiring large online platforms to remove or label deceptive election content. X alleges the new law would prompt social media sites to lean toward labeling or removing legitimate election content out of caution. X, though, alleges it would be difficult …

Elon Musk's biggest campaign contribution to Trump: weaponizing the First Amendment
2 months ago

Elon Musk's biggest campaign contribution to Trump: weaponizing the First Amendment

Salon  

America has made a terrible mistake. We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism I’ve been a trial lawyer for decades, and I’ve had the misfortune of litigating arcane aspects of First Amendment law. Fox and Musk have gotten away with spreading disinformation because of a self-serving misapprehension of the political speech doctrine: The …

Elon Musk goes all-in for Trump
Trending News
2 months ago

Elon Musk goes all-in for Trump

Politico  

As other social-media companies have taken pains to seem less political, Musk is tacking hard in the opposite direction. Last night in a surprise move, Musk induced a Trump endorsement from the massively popular podcast host, who echoed Musk’s extensive conspiracy theories and claimed “if we don’t elect Trump, I think we will lose democracy in this country, we will …

The tweet that has finally taught Elon Musk a lesson
3 months, 3 weeks ago

The tweet that has finally taught Elon Musk a lesson

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Well, one …

Musk deletes post speculating about Harris and Biden assassination after widespread criticism
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Musk deletes post speculating about Harris and Biden assassination after widespread criticism

The Hindu  

Elon Musk has deleted a post on his social media platform X in which he said “no one is even trying to assassinate” President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the wake of an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump while he was playing golf. Early Monday, after taking down the post about the apparent Trump …

Elon Musk is asking people to yell at him (ideally on X). Here’s why
4 months, 1 week ago

Elon Musk is asking people to yell at him (ideally on X). Here’s why

Live Mint  

X owner Elon Musk has reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of speech, stating that the social media giant should support all viewpoints within the law of the land, even those with which he disagrees. If that doesn’t seem to be happening, please yell at me.” Musk supports Mark Zuckerberg's claims on censorship: Meanwhile, Elon Musk also recently responded to a …

Elon Musk’s free speech mantra collides with crackdowns on hate speech and disinformation
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s free speech mantra collides with crackdowns on hate speech and disinformation

Hindustan Times  

Elon Musk’s absolutist version of free speech has thrown the world’s richest man and his X social-media platform into the crosshairs of governments worldwide. Any attempt to rein in social-media expression runs headlong into Musk’s hands-off approach to user posts, a “free speech” pledge that he defends ardently on the website formerly known as Twitter, which he acquired for $44 …

How X owner Elon Musk uses his social platform to amplify his right-wing views
4 months, 3 weeks ago

How X owner Elon Musk uses his social platform to amplify his right-wing views

Associated Press  

As X’s owner and most followed user, Elon Musk has increasingly used the social media platform as a megaphone to amplify his political views and, lately, those of right-wing figures he’s aligned with. And he accused a political party in his native South Africa of “openly pushing for genocide of white people.” “Elon Musk is a master of the media …

Independent readers say ‘X is the disinformation company’ – and call for Elon Musk boycott
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Independent readers say ‘X is the disinformation company’ – and call for Elon Musk boycott

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Independent readers have slammed social media companies, accusing them of allowing disinformation to …

Musk’s Riot Provocations Prompt UK to Seek Tougher Online Rules
5 months ago

Musk’s Riot Provocations Prompt UK to Seek Tougher Online Rules

Live Mint  

Keir Starmer called for a “mature conversation” with social media companies to limit malicious content that’s stoked days of rioting in the UK. On Monday, Kyle’s office said he met with executives from Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google, TikTok and X to discuss “the spread of hateful misinformation and incitement.” The next day, Musk compared the UK to the …

Has Elon Musk been radicalised by his own platform?
5 months ago

Has Elon Musk been radicalised by his own platform?

The Independent  

It is no secret that Elon Musk’s politics have shifted significantly over the past few years. In particular, a fake news account on Twitter/X known as “Channel3 Now” posted the entirely false claim that the attacker was known as “Ali Al-Shakati”, a Muslim asylum seeker on MI6’s watchlist who supposedly arrived in the UK last year by boat. What is …

Why is Elon Musk feuding with Australia and Brazil over free speech?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Why is Elon Musk feuding with Australia and Brazil over free speech?

Al Jazeera  

X owner is fighting governments over their attempts to curtail online content deemed to be harmful. Musk also said X would “lift all restrictions” on the banned accounts, although the platform said it had complied with the orders pending legal challenges. “Our concern is that if ANY country is allowed to censor content for ALL countries, which is what the …

What to know about Elon Musk's 'free speech' feud with a Brazilian judge
8 months, 4 weeks ago

What to know about Elon Musk's 'free speech' feud with a Brazilian judge

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Elon Musk vs Justice Alexandre de Moraes: Know about X owner's ‘free speech’ feud with Brazil
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Elon Musk vs Justice Alexandre de Moraes: Know about X owner's ‘free speech’ feud with Brazil

Hindustan Times  

Headline-grabbing billionaire Elon Musk is clashing with a Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X, the social media platform Musk bought when it was Twitter. Free speech is a constitutional right in the United States but not in many other countries, including Brazil, where Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes this month ordered …

What to know about Elon Musk’s ‘free speech’ feud with a Brazilian judge
8 months, 4 weeks ago

What to know about Elon Musk’s ‘free speech’ feud with a Brazilian judge

Associated Press  

SAO PAULO — Headline-grabbing billionaire Elon Musk is clashing with a Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X, the social media platform Musk bought when it was Twitter. In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right that’s much more permissive than in many countries, including Brazil, where Supreme Court Justice Alexandre …

Federal Judge Dismisses Elon Musk's X Lawsuit Against Center For Countering Digital Hate
9 months, 1 week ago

Federal Judge Dismisses Elon Musk's X Lawsuit Against Center For Countering Digital Hate

Live Law  

A federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's X Corporation against the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The lawsuit, which was initiated by X in July 2023, alleged that the CCDH violated the platform's terms of service by compiling public tweets and publishing reports highlighting instances of hate speech and misinformation. However, U.S. District Court Judge …

Judge dismisses lawsuit by Musk’s X against nonprofit researchers tracking hate speech on platform
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge dismisses lawsuit by Musk’s X against nonprofit researchers tracking hate speech on platform

Associated Press  

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Elon Musk’s X Corp. against the non-profit Center for Countering Digital Hate, which has documented the increase in hate speech on the site since it was acquired by the Tesla owner. X, formerly known as Twitter, had argued the center’s researchers violated the site’s terms of service by improperly compiling public tweets, …

Elon Musk’s Supreme Court Endgame in Defamation Lawsuit
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s Supreme Court Endgame in Defamation Lawsuit

Slate  

Late last year, Elon Musk sued nonprofit media watchdog Media Matters for America for defamation. By suing, Musk aims to deter Media Matters and other organizations not just from publicizing X’s advertising practices but from fighting disinformation generally. Musk’s legal manipulations and bombastic attacks on the organization make clear that his intent is to punish Media Matters, driving up legal …

Musk’s X asks judge to penalize nonprofit researchers tracking rise of hate speech on platform
10 months, 1 week ago

Musk’s X asks judge to penalize nonprofit researchers tracking rise of hate speech on platform

Associated Press  

Attorneys for X Corp. and a research organization that studies online hate speech traded arguments in court Thursday after the social media platform sued the non-profit Center for Countering Digital Hate for documenting the increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased by Elon Musk. X, formerly known as Twitter, alleges the center’s researchers violated the site’s …

Musk's X asks judge to penalize nonprofit researchers tracking rise of hate speech on platform
10 months, 1 week ago

Musk's X asks judge to penalize nonprofit researchers tracking rise of hate speech on platform

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Attorneys for X Corp. and …

Musk’s X fails to block California content moderation law
1 year ago

Musk’s X fails to block California content moderation law

LA Times  

Elon Musk’s X Corp. lost its effort in court to block a California law that seeks to control toxic posts on social media by requiring companies to disclose their content-moderation polices. In an eight-page ruling Thursday, a federal judge in Sacramento rejected arguments by the company formerly known as Twitter that the measure violates the free-speech rights of social media …

Elon Musk appeals to Supreme Court in SEC ‘Twitter Sitter’ dispute
1 year, 1 month ago

Elon Musk appeals to Supreme Court in SEC ‘Twitter Sitter’ dispute

Live Mint  

Elon Musk asked the US Supreme Court to consider invalidating an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to have his posts about Tesla Inc. on his X social media network screened in advance. The provision “is a quintessential prior restraint that the law forbids,” argued Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and owner of X Corp., formerly known as …

Musk uses expletive to tell audience he doesn’t care about advertisers that fled X over hate speech
1 year, 1 month ago

Musk uses expletive to tell audience he doesn’t care about advertisers that fled X over hate speech

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Billionaire Elon Musk said Wednesday that advertisers who have halted spending on his social media platform X in response to antisemitic and other hateful material are engaging in “blackmail” and, using a profanity, essentially told them to go away. that’s how I feel.” In an on-stage interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit, Musk also apologized …

On outrage over antisemitic content, Elon Musk curses out advertisers who left X
1 year, 1 month ago

On outrage over antisemitic content, Elon Musk curses out advertisers who left X

Hindustan Times  

Billionaire Elon Musk told advertisers that have fled his social media platform X over antisemitic content to "go f*ck yourself" in a fiery Wednesday interview. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk His profanity-laced remarks followed a moment of contrition in a New York Times DealBook Summit interview, as he first said "I'm sorry" for a tweet that agreed with an …

Musk files defamation suit against Media Matters over Nazi X post claims
1 year, 1 month ago

Musk files defamation suit against Media Matters over Nazi X post claims

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Media Matters analysis, published last week, also …

Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, sues California over social media law
1 year, 4 months ago

Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, sues California over social media law

LA Times  

X, the company formerly known as Twitter, is suing California over a state law passed last year that lawmakers say aims to make social media platforms more transparent. In the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Sacramento on Friday, X alleges the law violates the 1st Amendment’s free speech protections and would pressure social media companies to moderate “constitutionally-protected” …

"A cesspool for bigotry": Elon Musk's threats against Anti-Defamation League may backfire
1 year, 4 months ago

"A cesspool for bigotry": Elon Musk's threats against Anti-Defamation League may backfire

Salon  

Elon Musk, the owner of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, set off an online storm this week when he threatened to sue the Anti-Defamation League, whose mission is "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people." Elon Musk creates the conditions on his platform for hate speech and disinformation to run rampant, gets criticized by a whole chorus …

Elon Musk Is Blaming a Jewish Organization for His Own Failings
1 year, 4 months ago

Elon Musk Is Blaming a Jewish Organization for His Own Failings

Slate  

To get this out of the way: I am still using the site formerly known as Twitter. He added, “If this continues, we will have no choice but to file a defamation suit against, ironically, the ‘Anti-Defamation’ League.” The Anti-Defamation League dates back to the 1910s, and per its founder, attorney Sigmund Livingston, exists “to stop the defamation of the …

Musk threatens to sue Anti-Defamation League over X’s falling revenue
1 year, 4 months ago

Musk threatens to sue Anti-Defamation League over X’s falling revenue

Al Jazeera  

Billionaire owner of platform formerly known as Twitter says anti-Semitism accusations have hurt company’s bottom line. Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, says he is considering suing a leading civil rights organisation, arguing that its accusations of anti-Semitism have led the company to lose revenue. “To clear our platform’s name on the matter of anti-Semitism, …

‘Weak, Weak Man’ Elon Musk Mocked On Own Website Over Latest Meltdown
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Weak, Weak Man’ Elon Musk Mocked On Own Website Over Latest Meltdown

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING X owner Elon Musk’s threat to sue the Anti-Defamation League isn’t going over well on his own platform. Billionaire Rating 0/10 @elonmusk https://t.co/oAw902XD2e — Room Rater September 4, 2023 if i wanted to “clear our platforms name of anti semitism” i would simply rid the platform i own of nazi propagandists rather than interacting with and promoting …

Elon Musk: We will fund legal bills of users ‘unfairly treated’ by employers for their activity on X
1 year, 5 months ago

Elon Musk: We will fund legal bills of users ‘unfairly treated’ by employers for their activity on X

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk has said X, previously known as Twitter, will fund the legal …

Musk offers legal aid for users in trouble at work over X posts
1 year, 5 months ago

Musk offers legal aid for users in trouble at work over X posts

The Hindu  

Elon Musk on August 5 said his social media company X would provide monetary legal aid to users who face blowback from their bosses over posts on the platform. Since the tycoon bought the social media platform for $44 billion last October, its advertising business has collapsed, in part because of its looser approach to blocking hate speech, and the …

"Straight out of the authoritarian playbook": Hate speech watchdog sued by Musk's X hits back
1 year, 5 months ago

"Straight out of the authoritarian playbook": Hate speech watchdog sued by Musk's X hits back

Salon  

This article originally appeared at Common Dreams. The internet watchdog Center for Countering Digital Hate hit back at billionaire Elon Musk Tuesday after X—his company formerly known as Twitter—sued the organization over its research into the dissemination of hate speech on the social media platform. In a complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for Northern California in San …

X marks the lawsuit: Elon Musk’s social media company sues nonprofit highlighting site’s hate speech
1 year, 5 months ago

X marks the lawsuit: Elon Musk’s social media company sues nonprofit highlighting site’s hate speech

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has sued a group of researchers — alleging their work highlighting an increase in hate speech on the platform cost the company millions of dollars of advertising revenue. With offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom, the center regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism and harmful behavior on …

X marks the lawsuit: Elon Musk's social media company sues nonprofit highlighting site's hate speech
1 year, 5 months ago

X marks the lawsuit: Elon Musk's social media company sues nonprofit highlighting site's hate speech

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy X, the social media platform …

Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets
1 year, 5 months ago

Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk. An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal …

Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hate tweets
1 year, 5 months ago

Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hate tweets

Al Jazeera  

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk. A lawyer representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over …

Elon Musk Seeks Support Against Rules on Free Speech Online
55 years ago

Elon Musk Seeks Support Against Rules on Free Speech Online

Wired  

When Elon Musk arrived at VivaTech, a leading technology conference in France, his presence had an immediate effect, as event founder Maurice Levy of Publicis Groupe was quick to point out. “Hopefully later this year, we’ll do our first human device implantation on someone who has quadriplegia and potentially restore full body function,” Musk said. The San Francisco-based company shares …

Twitter’s launch of DeSantis’ presidential bid underscores platform’s rightward shift under Musk
1 year, 7 months ago

Twitter’s launch of DeSantis’ presidential bid underscores platform’s rightward shift under Musk

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Two years ago, signing a bill intended to punish Twitter and other major social media companies, Florida Gov. The group’s vice president Yael Eisenstat, who leads its Center for Technology and Society, said Musk’s content moderation choices have “served to silence marginalized voices” by giving harassers and internet trolls free reign. “It’s another thing to say we …

Twitter's launch of DeSantis' presidential bid underscores platform's rightward shift under Musk
1 year, 7 months ago

Twitter's launch of DeSantis' presidential bid underscores platform's rightward shift under Musk

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Musk, co-hosting the event, responded to the praise by saying, “Twitter was indeed expensive, …

Bill Maher calls Elon Musk "a likable guy" in exclusive "Real Time" interview
1 year, 8 months ago

Bill Maher calls Elon Musk "a likable guy" in exclusive "Real Time" interview

Salon  

Elon Musk, the world's second-richest billionaire who has spent the last few weeks exploding rockets and morphing Twitter into an unusable hellscape, made a special appearance on Friday's episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher." "I think technology is the thing that causes these big step changes in civilization," Musk said, going into a monologue about the Gutenberg press, the …

Column: The promise of free speech on Elon Musk’s Twitter is officially dead
1 year, 10 months ago

Column: The promise of free speech on Elon Musk’s Twitter is officially dead

LA Times  

“I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law,” Elon Musk said in April. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s officially safe to declare that Elon Musk’s dream of “free speech” on Twitter, whatever it may have been, is dead. For the record: The language added to Twitter’s violent speech policy in February prohibiting tweets expressing hopes, …

Elon Musk, the social media autocrat
2 years ago

Elon Musk, the social media autocrat

Al Jazeera  

Like millions of people around the world, I have been closely following the debacle at Twitter since Elon Musk took the company over. Musk made his political intentions for the Twitter takeover quite apparent, tweeting in May – while the deal was still not concluded – a painting of Louis XIV, the “Sun King”. It could also happen with electric …

Press freedom and civil rights groups condemn Elon Musk’s decision to suspend journalists: ‘Rule by diktat’
2 years ago

Press freedom and civil rights groups condemn Elon Musk’s decision to suspend journalists: ‘Rule by diktat’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Twitter suspended the accounts of more than half a dozen journalists who scrutinise …

No One on Twitter Is Safe From Elon Musk
55 years ago

No One on Twitter Is Safe From Elon Musk

Wired  

Elon Musk’s commitment to near-absolute free speech has collapsed. Journalists have helped keep the platform relevant despite its small size relative to competitors like Facebook: They fuel the platform with free, vetted content when news breaks and speculation and rumors swirl. “Musk is responding to events that affect him personally to reshape that policy and place new limits on what …

Elon Musk is so committed to free speech he wants to use the power of the state to suppress public info about him
2 years ago

Elon Musk is so committed to free speech he wants to use the power of the state to suppress public info about him

Raw Story  

Billionaire Twitter owner Elon Musk has framed his takeover of Twitter as essential for the future of free speech and even civilization itself, even though he tried for months to get out of the deal and was sued by the company in an attempt to force him to buy it. Musk after buying Twitter declared that his commitment to free …

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