https://www.theepochtimes.com/musks-twitter-purchase-will-bring-back-free-speech-and-expose-what-was-done-to-stifle-it_4426703.htmlMusk’s Twitter Purchase Will Bring Back Free Speech and Expose What Was Done to Stifle ItBy Jeff Carlson and Hans Mahncke
April 25, 2022
NOTE: When reading articles at The Epoch Times, DISABLE JAVASCRIPT in your browser. This can be done with the click of a mouse with free add-ons/extensions.Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter represents a seismic shift in American political discourse.
Democrats and the media have benefited for years from seeing their voices artificially amplified through a cozy relationship with the multitude of tech companies. The goal has been to make their policies and ideas appear as though they are far more accepted than they really are.
The problem is that Twitter functions as the de facto public square—and the false elevation of some ideas and views combined with the active suppression of others has a direct impact on public discourse and debate.
Controlling this public square of political debate has been of immense benefit to Democrats, the media, globalists, and the government bureaucracy. It’s why they’ve opposed Elon’s takeover offer from the start.
But it’s not just about losing control of public debate going forward. The actions of those who controlled the narrative through Twitter are now open to examination from Musk—who has already indicated that he will subject Twitter’s secret algorithm to public scrutiny.
Twitter has long restricted free speech. One method they have employed widely is shadowbanning—the limitation on the visibility of tweets from a given account. Another method used by Twitter is the outright banning of accounts that Twitter deemed problematic or offensive.
Elon himself became the subject of shadowbanning in the days before his offer was accepted—something he even joked about—despite already being the owner of more than 9 percent of Twitter.
If Elon approaches his acquisition of Twitter methodically, he will set about working to first understand how Twitter’s algorithm works—and then slowly remove the code that targets conservatives—bringing Twitter back to its original premise. A micro-blogging platform where anyone can share their thoughts and ideas, no matter whether they are rich and famous, poor, or just an average Joe.
Democrats and the corporate media are deeply afraid of this change. The very last thing they want is a level playing field, which is part of the reason for their opposition to Elon’s takeover of Twitter. But it’s not the only reason.
The people in positions of power don’t want Twitter’s algorithm exposed—because it would provide definitive proof that voices who dissented from the official line on anything ranging from gender identification to Hunter Biden’s laptop were targeted, harassed, and actively censured.
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