Self-declared 'free speech absolutist' Elon Musk slammed for suspending journalists from Twitter
16 December 2022
In the wake of Twitter's widespread suspension of journalists, Elon Musk is facing criticism for his hypocritical actions not long after he advocated for free speech.
According to HuffPost, journalists who cover Musk appear to have been targeted for suspension.
"Journalists who cover Elon Musk have been suspended on Twitter tonight: [Donie O'Sullivan] from CNN, Aaron Rupar, and the Washington Post's [Drew Harwell]," Senior NBC News reporter Ben Collins tweeted. "Rupar tells me he has 'no idea' why it happened."
Mac Ryan, who was also banned, tweeted from an account named "Mac Silenced."
In response to the ban, he tweeted, "Some folks have asked so will try to answer here: -This is the notification on my account. -I was given no warning. -I have no email or communication from the company about the reason for suspension. -I report on Twitter, Elon Musk and his companies. And I will continue to do so."
Others have also offered deeply critical responses to Musk's latest power move. "The gall of @elonmusk to ban respectable journalists doing important work from his platform while parading as some sort of champion of free speech is, quite frankly, detestable," Yvette Clark tweeted. "I’d ask if he feels any shame, but meaningful self-reflection may simply be beyond his capacity."
Another social media user warned, "Elon Musk is banning journalists. Next, he’ll ban elected officials, activists, and members of every marginalized community whose existence he finds inconvenient."
In response to criticism about the suspensions, Musk, who has deemed himself a “free speech absolutist,” claims the journalists' suspensions were due to them sharing his “real-time location and endangering my family.”
Per HuffPost, he also claimed, "those banned had effectively posted 'assassination coordinates' in their reporting about the @ElonJet Twitter account."
The billionaire businessman also shared a poll asking his 121 million Twitter followers for their take on the ban. “7 day suspension for doxxing,” Musk wrote. “Some time away from Twitter is good for the soul.”
On Thursday, Musk, again, attempted to defend his actions even after some journalists pushed back confirming they never shared his location.
“Everyone on this call would not like that if it were done to them,” Musk said. “There’s not going to be any distinction in the future between journalists and regular people. You’re not special because you’re a journalist.”