Billionaire businessman Elon Musk owns Twitter after buying the social network for US$44 billion (about R$214 billion) on Monday (25).
The transaction still needs to be approved by regulators, but it has already provoked all sorts of backlash and most of it is negative. On the other hand, among those celebrating the sale are controversial journalists like Fox News’ Tucker Carlson.
The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) warn against the threat of press freedom and pluralism due to the sole proprietorship of the social network.
Organizations say Twitter owner Elon Musk threatens professional journalism
In Weeks before Twitter’s acquisitionMusk strengthened his defense of free speech without moderation on the platform.
Celebrities, activists and even company employees are unsure of the social network’s future with its new owner. The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is also the owner of Tesla (electric cars) and SpaceX (aviation discoveries).
In the takeover statement, Elon Musk said, “Freedom of speech is the foundation of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where issues vital to the future of humanity are discussed.” Said.
“I want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, open-source algorithms to increase trust, defeating spam ‘bots’ and verifying the identity of all people,” he said.
????????♥️ Yes!!! ♥️???????? pic.twitter.com/0T9HzUHuh6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 25 April 2022
But for the IFJ/EFJ, Twitter’s long-standing reputation for criticizing its content moderation policies, and recent indications that this needs to change under their direction, is troubling for journalists using the platform and the global press:
“Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, which has more than 400 million users worldwide, means the company is now owned by a single person rather than multiple shareholders, raising concerns that this new concentration in the hands of a single person will have serious consequences for the social and political use of the platform. about.”
The federations warn that Musk’s announcement to “verify all people,” that is, to give all users a seal of verification, “will severely challenge the protection of those whose views or identities do not match those in power, among whom are many journalists and sources in the world who hold the powerful accountable.”
Reducing measures to reduce content moderation is also a cause for concern, as it can increase misinformation on the platform and threaten quality professional journalism.
A recent IFJ investigation revealed how journalists, particularly women and those belonging to minority groups, were targeted in mass attacks online, including on Twitter.
“Twitter is an extension of journalists’ offices. This is where journalists promote their work, express their opinions or find sources of information,” said Anthony Bellanger, IJF Secretary General.
“This space must be properly managed, respecting freedom of expression. It’s a good balance that any Twitter owner should be mindful of.”
“We are concerned that Elon Musk’s Twitter plans are going in the wrong direction, increasing opportunities to attack journalists and threatening users’ anonymity.”
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Reporters Without Borders also spoke. Musk has been on the business’s radar since at least 2018. threatened to create a website where the public could assess the basic truth of any news and track the credibility score of each journalist, editor, and publication over time.
Alan is “Pravda” meaning “truth” in Russian and a Soviet-era government newspaper it wasn’t exactly a model of independence and journalistic credibility.
Shortly after the platform’s acquisition was announced, RSF tweeted that it would stay vigilant “as no man in the history of democracy has amassed so much power.”
RSF will present itself as private lawless in relation to les action d’.@elonmusk à la tete de #Twitter. Never aucun homme n’a concentré autant de pouvoirs dans l’histoire des #democracies ????1/3 https://t.co/KzAG242QFr
— RSF (@RSF_inter) April 26, 2022
Controversial Fox News reporter Tucker Carlson is among those who favor Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. “Today is the biggest victory for freedom of expression,” reads the banner for his comment on the purchase on the network.
“The worst people in the world think this is great news, which tells you everything you need to know,” taunted journalist Aaron Rupar when sharing Carlson’s on-air edition.
The worst people in the world think this is great news, which tells you all you need to know pic.twitter.com/yz1bPgAL8O
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 26, 2022
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source: Noticias
