Elon Musk claims to champion free speech, but his plans for Twitter could stifle the free exchange of ideas.
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Elon Musk said he wants to make Twitter a platform for free speech. Here is what research shows about claims of political bias and excessive moderation.
Internet technologies have meant that the public sphere has now become digital, but what does that mean for its ownership?
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Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter is seen as a threat to the digital public square. International regulation is required to protect internet users’ access to democratic public spaces.
Elon Musk has over 80 million Twitter followers, so why does he need to own the platform?
(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Analysis of Trump’s post-Twitter communications suggest that the former president has not moderated his messaging style. So what does that mean if he were to go back on Twitter?
The digital public sphere is constantly evolving, so we need a regulatory framework that helps to structure public discussion, and in turn guide our own public contributions as citizens.
A new Gilded Age of media barons?
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Musk has long touted Twitter’s potential as an open and inclusive ‘town square’ for public discourse – but the reality is social media platforms were never meant to fulfil this role.
Twitter, more than other social media platforms, fosters real-time discussion about events as they unfold. That could change now that Musk has gained control of the company.
Twitter is developing an ‘edit button’ that allows users to change tweets after they’ve been sent - but making it work won’t be easy
A lawsuit filed on April 12 alleges that Tesla CEO Elon Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in Twitter so he could buy more shares at lower prices.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Elon Musk’s attempt to take over Twitter uses free speech as the motivation, but research shows that unregulated online spaces result in increased harassment for marginalized users.
Poison pills usually work, but Elon Musk appears undeterred.
AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu
Twitter, more than other social media platforms, fosters real-time discussion about events as they unfold. That could change if Musk gains control of the company.
Musk argues Twitter is better off in private hands – his.
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Public companies have many governance safeguards that private ones lack, such as independent oversight and transparency.
A pro-Ukrainian supporter waves the country’s flag outside the Russian embassy on Feb. 24, 2022 in Ottawa, the day Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Russian Embassy in Canada is active in spreading disinformation and promoting the Russian perspective on the events taking place in Ukraine.
Far-right candidates Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen have both benefited from substantial support by media groups sympathetic to their ideas.
Thomas Coex/AFP
While many progressive movements have organised online, conservatives dominate because of better organisation, capital, and social inequality. France’s presidential elections are a case in point.