by Alison Harner ‘24
Shortly after Elon Musk bought Twitter, he reportedly laid off the company’s entire communications department. Journalists’ questions about the company’s development since Musk’s takeover have been left unanswered since November. From the mass layoffs and resignations to the change in user experience and the controversial behaviors of the owner, an air of mystery surrounds the company’s inner workings. Recently, Musk tweeted that the company’s email has been revived and will now reply to emails with a single poop emoji.
Elon Musk is a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist,” and claimed his Twitter takeover to be a step towards unfiltered expression. However, many of Musk’s actions are causing safety concerns. Musk’s treatment of journalists also calls his policies into question. Several journalists have been banned from Twitter since Musk’s takeover in October, yet he has reinstated the accounts of many accounts that were removed in the past. The journalists’ accounts have since been revived after widespread backlash, however Musk’s willingness to abruptly change his policy in such a way could be extremely dangerous. Twitter is a widely used and respected corporation, and it is a steady news source for many. If Musk’s willingness to censor in the name of “free speech” and disrespect for journalists continues, misinformation and disinformation could be spread at a new all-time high.
Treisman, R. (2023, March 20). Got a question for Twitter’s press team? the answer will be a poop emoji. NPR. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164654551/twitter-poop-emoji-elon-musk