Moore to the Point – on Elon Musk and Free Speech – Opinion

Note: This “Moore to the Point” commentary aired on NewsTalkSTL on Tuesday, April 12th. Below is the audio.

The Internet is abuzz – atwitter, if you will (That was terrible, I’m sorry.) – regarding the news of Elon Musk’s recent purchase of 9.2 percent of Twitter’s shares, rendering him the largest shareholder of the social media platform.

Musk immediately set about teasing potential changes he’d like to see implemented – and there was rampant speculation as to whether that meant certain well-known accounts might be restored. He was going to join the board but now he’s not – some speculate this actually frees him up – potentially to acquire additional shares down the road.

Either way, I consider it a good thing that someone like Musk is taking an active role in a medium that – for better or worse – plays such a prominent role in our social discourse these days. Musk does not say everything I agree with or that I feel he is speaking for me, but rather because Musk advocates free speech.

As a freedom-of-expression purist, I am. The only speech that should be allowed to be censored is yours. What effect Musk’s new role will ultimately have remains to be seen – but if it means more speech and less censorship, then I’m a fan.