For the European Union, the drift of Elon Musk in recent hours has not gone unnoticed. The CEO of Twitter has massively suspended accounts of journalists critical of him and the ups and downs of the social network. Contravening not only the principles of freedom of expression and press. Also the very principles of which Elon has been boasting: absolute freedom.
The suspension of the accounts of some renowned reporters, from the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post, has generated a reaction within the European Union, which has been observing the movements within Twitter with concern for some time.
EU Commissioner Věra Jourová has warned to Elon Musk that the EU Digital Services Law requires respect for press freedom, and that it is also applicable to Twitter, if it wants to continue operating as it has until now in Europe. That or you will be penalized.
In a series of tweets The European Commissioner has been quite clear regarding the actions of Twitter and, above all, how freedom of the press and expression is being restricted under totally accidental criteria. And given the latest moves, They look more like a desperate play by Elon to cover the critical voices with him.
“The news about the arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is worrying.”[La] EU Digital Services Law requires respect for media freedom and fundamental rights. This is reinforced in our Freedom of the Media Act.” Elon Musk should be aware of that. There are red lines. And sanctions, soon.”
As much as Elon Musk has taken cover in that the suspension of the accounts has to do with the doxingthe Commissioner points out that, regardless of the reasons, the rules apply to everyone.
And it is that at the start of the controversy, a Twitter spokeswoman confirmed to The Verge that the suspension was related to those users who shared the location data of others on the social network. However, this does not appear to have been the case for journalists. At least from the majority who have seen their accounts suspended.
Yet there is no formal Commission investigation into Twitter and Elon Muskor at least it has not been announced, but since the curator has used the word sanction beside earlyit would not be surprising if we have news in this regard in the coming months.
Especially if it starts to be widespread and affects European citizens and journalists.