Coverage dated April 20, 2022 to April 26, 2022

Elon Musk says he’ll set Twitter free, but some say it’s not so simple

Headline from The Hill, on the newest of 2 developments

Does free mean anything short of an actual threat is OK? Major social media platforms have, in general, arrived at policies prohibiting hate speech and misinformation, and have pulled the plug on r…

The Hill's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Apr 25, 2022
Free speech or hate speech? Fears for Musk's Twitter
Headline from Digital Journal ·
Apr 27, 2022Newest
Elon Musk says he’ll set Twitter free, but some say it’s not so simple
Headline from The Hill ·

2 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

43 articles, oldest first.

The Conversation US
If Elon Musk succeeds in his Twitter takeover, it would restrict, rather than promote, free speech (opens The Conversation US)
Published Apr 20, 2022
The Conversation US's feed description
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.
FOX Business
Twitter's reaction to Elon Musk only proves change is needed (opens FOX Business)
Published Apr 21, 2022
FOX Business's feed description
Twitter bans hate speech – specifically, speech it hates.
Forbes
Experts Weigh In On Musk's Buying Twitter And What It Means For 'Free Speech' (opens Forbes)
Published Apr 24, 2022
Forbes's feed description
Twitter will become a privately held company – with Musk making the rules
FOX Business
Elon Musk takes to Twitter to explain 'what free speech means' (opens FOX Business)
Published Apr 24, 2022
FOX Business's feed description
Elon Musk took to Twitter Monday to explain "what free speech means" in a message to those who have criticized his bid to take over the platform.
Newsweek
Elon Musk doesn't want 'free speech.' He wants freedom from accountability | Opinion (opens Newsweek)
Published Apr 24, 2022
Newsweek's feed description
When billionaires like Elon Musk justify their motives by using "freedom," beware. They actually seek freedom from accountability.
Poynter
Elon Musk buys Twitter. Now what? (opens Poynter)
Published Apr 24, 2022
Poynter's feed description
The biggest question many have is what Musk means when he advocates for ‘free speech.’ What does that look like? Does it mean anything goes?
Forbes
A Speculation That Elon Musk Isn’t Thinking What You’re Thinking About Twitter (opens Forbes)
Published Apr 24, 2022
Forbes's feed description
No one offers tens of billions solely to expand access to free speech.
Government Executive
What Does Musk's Purchase of Twitter Mean for Disinformation? (opens Government Executive)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Government Executive's feed description
His free-speech values could undermine the site's efforts to stem foreign influence operations.
Fox News
Elon Musk is 'untrustworthy and brilliant,' Americans weigh in on Twitter buy (opens Fox News)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Fox News's feed description
Fox News spoke to Americans in Washington, D.C., about Elon Musk buying twitter and the impact it may have on free speech
The Conversation US
What will Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter mean for 'free speech' on the platform? (opens The Conversation US)
Published Apr 25, 2022
The Conversation US's feed description
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.
Fox News
MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC spread fear over Elon Musk Twitter deal: ‘Free speech of straight white men’ (opens Fox News)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Fox News's feed description
Liberal media networks MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC claimed that a Twitter owned by Elon Musk could be bad for free speech and negatively impact women and people of color.
The Times of Israel
Is Elon Musk’s push for ‘free speech’ on Twitter just a case of deja vu? (opens The Times of Israel)
Published Apr 25, 2022
The Times of Israel's feed description
Analysts warn that new owner of social media platform could repeat the mistakes of a decade ago, when unmoderated posts led to a 'cesspool' -- and advertisers fled
Politico
How Musk could — and couldn't — transform Twitter (opens Politico)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Politico's feed description
Experts say that "free speech" is a tougher goal than Musk might realize.
Digital Journal
Free speech or hate speech? Fears for Musk's Twitter (opens Digital Journal)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Digital Journal's feed description
Elon Musk describes himself as a "free-speech absolutist," leaving rights groups fearful that Twitter will provide a forum for hate speech.
The Daily Caller
Sunny Hostin Claims Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover Is ‘About Free Speech Of Straight, White Men’ (opens The Daily Caller)
Published Apr 25, 2022
The Daily Caller's feed description
Sunny Hostin said during a Tuesday episode that Elon Musk's multibillion dollar purchase of Twitter is about protecting free speech for "straight, white men."
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Elon Musk Says He Wants Free Speech, But His Track Record Suggests Otherwise (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
Published Apr 25, 2022
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description
Musk’s free speech advocacy seems to apply mostly to his own speech or that of his fans and promoters.
The Conversation US
Twitter: not even Elon Musk is wealthy enough to bring absolute free speech to the platform – here's why (opens The Conversation US)
Published Apr 25, 2022
The Conversation US's feed description
We may be besieged by private companies in online spaces, but only up to a point.
Poynter
What happens to Twitter when Elon Musk is in charge? (opens Poynter)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Poynter's feed description
Where it goes from here is anyone’s guess, but possibilities include more ‘free speech,’ less moderation and an edit button.
Hot Air
NY Times: Elon Musk seems to believe in free speech and that's going to be a disaster (opens Hot Air)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Hot Air's feed description
"'free speech' means different things to different people"
Washington Times
Musk can turn Twitter around (opens Washington Times)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Washington Times's feed description
In these unnecessarily interesting times, it should come as no surprise that the NAACP is already trying dictate terms to Elon Musk as he turns a new page for the socialist foghorn that is Twitter. The organization asserts that free speech (that is, socialist speech) is wonderful, but hate speech (c…
New York Times
Elon Musk and the Gray of ‘Free Speech’ (opens New York Times)
Published Apr 25, 2022
New York Times's feed description
He wants Twitter to allow more speech. We’ve got questions.
Vox
Even Elon Musk doesn’t know what he means by free speech (opens Vox)
Published Apr 25, 2022
Vox's feed description
The billionaire says he wants to make Twitter a free speech platform. That’s easier said than done.
The Economist
Elon Musk is taking Twitter’s “public square” private (opens The Economist)
Published Apr 25, 2022
The Economist's feed description
The billionaire promises to make online speech freer. That is harder than it sounds
KVIA El Paso
Musk's 'free speech' push for Twitter: Repeating history? (opens KVIA El Paso)
Published Apr 25, 2022
KVIA El Paso's feed description
By BARBARA ORTUTAY and AMANDA SEITZ Associated Press Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, seemingly intent on making the old new again, has successfully arranged to buy Twitter for about $44 billion. His stated aim is to turn it into a haven for free speech.
The Atlantic
Elon Musk Isn't Buying Twitter to Defend Free Speech (opens The Atlantic)
Published Apr 26, 2022
The Atlantic's feed description
Business moguls tend to be big on protecting speech, right until it hurts their bottom line.

Showing the first 25 of 32 headlines. ·

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