Soon after Musk acquired Twitter last year, users with links to extremist groups were allowed back on the platform. At the same time, the platform changed its verified status, which allowed such accounts to seem all the more credible—even as actual news organizations and vetted reporters lost their verification.
“Free Speech is not an absolute or binary choice, and it never was,” Schreiner continued. “As a private company, X is not required to provide a platform for bigots to spread hateful speech. Twitter was never the model for addressing intolerance even before Elon Musk acquired the platform; things have only gotten worse since then.”
X Doesn’t Mark The Spot For Free Speech Absolutism
Free speech absolutism may also be impossible on social media platforms because the content is also filtered by algorithms. There is a two-fold reason for filtering explained Dr. Julianna Kirschner, lecturer in Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California.
“When it works well, the platform prioritizes what users want to see,” Kirschner noted. “This means a user can maximize their time while on the platform and view content of interest to them. Filtering is also in the best interest of the platform, so they can keep their eyes on the screen. Filtering content also allows them to embed targeted advertisements to users, so they can make more revenue.”
However, some advertisers clearly weren’t all that happy that their ads appeared in controversial posts on X, and coupled with Musk’s comments, have fled from the platform.
“If Musk is in favor of free speech absolutism, he should also accept that free speech does not mean being free of consequences. In the town square example often used in rhetoric texts, a person can say or shout whatever they want to those in hearing distance within and outside of the square. However, others can shout back to express their disapproval. Or, the audience may leave altogether,” said Kirschner.
X has already seen many users sign off and head to competing social networks. But the same can be said for advertisers, which have also faced scrutiny on the platform from some users for their inclusive practices.
“There is no reason these advertisers should waste their resources and time on an audience that won’t be receptive to their message. Free speech absolutism also means these advertisers can take their business elsewhere, and Musk’s comments will continue to scare advertisers away from X,” Kirschner continued. “If anyone is responsible for X going bankrupt, it is Elon Musk, not the advertisers fleeing from the platform due to Musk’s erratic comments.”
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