Excerpt from Reuters Article, Published on Sep 13, 2024.
SYDNEY, Sept 13 – Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sparked controversy by labeling Australia’s government as “fascists” in response to proposed legislation aimed at curbing online misinformation. The Australian Labor government introduced the bill, which could impose fines of up to 5% of global revenue on tech companies that fail to stop the spread of false information.
The proposed law would require platforms to establish codes of conduct to limit harmful content, subject to approval by a regulatory authority. If companies fail to comply, the regulator would set its own standards and levy fines for non-compliance. Musk, known for his outspoken stance on free speech, responded to a user’s post on the subject with the single word: “Fascists.”
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s office stressed that all companies operating in Australia must adhere to national laws. “This bill improves the transparency and accountability of platforms for users and the Australian public,” Rowland said in a statement. Musk’s comment drew backlash from several Australian lawmakers. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten criticized Musk’s inconsistency on free speech, stating, “When it’s in his interest, he’s a champion of free speech; when it’s not, he shuts it down.”
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones added that social media platforms should not allow harmful content, such as scams, deepfakes, or violent livestreams, under the guise of free speech.This isn’t Musk’s first clash with the Australian government. Earlier this year, his company challenged a regulator’s order to remove certain posts, resulting in a legal dispute that was eventually dropped.
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