Summary:
Concerns About Social Media: The author draws parallels between concerns that led to discussions about banning TikTok in the U.S. and the current state of X (formerly Twitter).
X as a Threat: The author argues that X, under Elon Musk's ownership, poses a threat to Canadian democracy.
Increased Racism and Misinformation: The platform is described as having become more racist and a source of increasing misinformation since Musk's acquisition.
Content Moderation: Musk's leadership is criticized for gutting content moderation, unbanning alt-right figures, and turning the platform into a partisan propaganda machine.
"Free Speech Absolutism": Musk's defense of his actions using "free speech absolutism" is dismissed as untenable.
Canadian Law: Canadian freedom of expression law is noted to be more robust than that of the U.S., allowing for reasonable limits on speech.
Foreign Influence: The author suggests that X's current conduct would not be tolerated if it were aligned with a government like China.
Musk and Trump: Musk's close ties to Donald Trump and the potential for pro-Trump propaganda targeting Canadian voters are highlighted as a specific threat.
Echoes of the Broadcasting Act: The author draws a parallel to the Broadcasting Act of 1958, which restricted foreign ownership of broadcasters to protect Canadian discourse.
Message to Social Media Companies: Banning X would send a message to other social media companies about their responsibilities to Canadians.
Call to Action: The author urges the current Prime Minister to ban X before the next election.
Trump's annexation comments: Notes Trump's comments about annexing Canada.
X as an Anti-Canadian Propaganda Machine: Concludes that X should be treated as a real threat.
I don't think banning things is the right approach. That is censorship & bolsters fascism, not stop it. Education is the most important. If you're worried about misinformation, then educate people about it.
Education hasn't worked seeing how fascism has successfully taken hold through american social media, and no transparency over algorithms. And the people in charge pushing for fascism owning the sites and tuning the algorithm to their liking to promote and suppress information they want the masses to hook on to.
And it's not like only dumb uneducated people who have been lured into it. Those with educated backgrounds are just as easily influenced. That there are antivax nurses tells you everything there is to know about how effective education is.
I would have agreed with you before I'm not sure about that any more. Musk and his oligarch buddies are in open war against the working class at this point and social media is their primary weapon.
If not outright ban, at the very least insist on heavy regulations. Allowing them to shape the discourse is a sure fire way to lose this battle.
banning creates un intended consequences, and i agree, grass roots boycott is a better approach here
Yeah like imagine if Twitter had been banned in the US and how their election might have turned out. Things might have turned out worse like getting a dictator who is wanting to reignite land grabs of neighboring countries.
Not banning Twitter and attempts to educate from the liberals really worked out.