X CEO Pledged To Target Undefined ‘Hate Speech’
An alarming signal just came from X, formerly Twitter, calling into question the platform’s reputation as the last bastion of free speech on social media. CEO Linda Yaccarino asserted it still respects First Amendment rights except for “hate speech.”
Which, of course, remained undefined.
It is clear that the left uses the term hate speech as a bludgeon to thrash any statements they do not agree with. It is purposefully vague and in practice encompasses far more than words inciting terrorism or violence.
In a Jan. 22 blog post, Yaccarino defended free speech right up until she didn’t. “Control, censorship and information centralization holds us back — while greater access to information propels us forward and fuels positive change.”
Great so far, but then she wandered into the undefined territory of disfavored speech.
Yaccarino continued, “For all the good, there’s also a point when information independence crosses a line too, and that’s hate speech. We must all act now to combat hate as Elon firmly stated during the European Jewish Association’s symposium.”
Musk purchased the platform for the expressed purpose of promoting free speech and eradicating draconian leftist suppression of independent thought. Many accused him of fomenting hate speech and even antisemitism through the removal of many controls.
When advertisers bailed following pressure from liberal investment groups and NGOs, Musk famously used an expletive to tell them what they could do with their funds.
Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger led the advertiser boycott of X, prompting Musk’s outburst. The Tesla and SpaceX owner later drew the ire of many in the Jewish community for endorsing a user post concerning alleged hatred against Whites.
Musk apologized for what he termed a “foolish” remark and made a trip to Israel to work through the criticism.
Late in November, Yaccarino backed up her boss by reaffirming that “X is an enabling platform that’s uncomfortable for some people. We’re a platform that allows people to make their own decisions.”
It is troubling, however, when she speaks out against nebulous “hate speech” that she is unable to define. This left the door open for a return to the dark days of platform censorship where many users were suspended for statements that simply countered the leftist narrative.
