Musk’s purchase of Twitter ruffles feathers

HISTORY will mark April 25, 2022 as a day of monumental significance in the revival and survival of free speech when Elon Musk bought the Big Tech platform Twitter for $44 billion (about R701bn) and became its sole owner.

Musk, who has described himself as a “free speech absolutist”, regards free speech as “the bedrock of a functioning democracy” and intends to transform Twitter into “a genuine platform for free speech”. In a letter to the Board of Twitter, Musk stated: “Twitter will neither thrive nor serve society in its current form.”

For all who recognise diversity and value the free exchange of information and opinion Musk’s intentions should be applauded. After all, as John Milton stated centuries ago, “Who ever knew truth to be put to the worse in a free and open encounter?”

Yet the contortions of bitterness of the political Left and the so-called Democratic Party at the news of Musk’s manoeuvre leave no doubt as to the extent of their prejudice, hypocrisy and intolerance of the first amendment. Leftist journalist Aaron Rupar is horrified Twitter will now permit “robust exchanges of competing information” which he believes should “be shut down to protect people from misinformation”.

Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki insists the White House will continue to engage Twitter about what it regards as “misinformation”. Although Trump has said he has no intention of having his Twitter account reinstated, Psaki has expressed grave concern at that prospect.

Musk’s takeover of Twitter provides impetus in combatting the “woke virus”.