Elon Musk’s social media posts may legitimize ‘hate speech and misinformation’: Academic

LONDON 

Elon Musk’s social media posts embracing far-right ideologies in the UK could influence public discourse by legitimizing the speech he is using now, including “hate speech and misinformation,” a British academic has warned.

“The more these modes of speech are promoted, amplified, and given credibility by influential figures, the more the public may perceive these opinions as legitimate within political conversations,” James Dennis, a senior lecturer in political communication and journalism at the University of Portsmouth, told Anadolu in an interview.

In recent posts on X, Elon Musk criticized the UK’s Labour government by seeking to link it to a 2000s sex abuse scandal and expressed support for Germany’s far-right Islamophobic AfD party, prompting a backlash from European leaders.

Musk’s comments on British politicians included accusations related to the 2000s grooming gang crimes and calls for the removal of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

He branded Starmer as “complicit in the rape of Britain” and suggested that the US should “liberate” the British people from their government.

These remarks drew sharp criticism from UK officials, with Starmer condemning Musk’s statements as “lies and misinformation” that undermine UK democracy.

British public opinion reflects widespread disapproval of Musk’s involvement in domestic politics, with a majority of Britons believing his actions negatively impact UK politics.

Additionally, UK security officials are reportedly monitoring Musk’s social media activity over concerns about the potential spread of misinformation.   

Activists moving to alternative platforms

Dennis noted a significant shift in social media dynamics since Musk’s takeover of X in 2022, then known as Twitter.

“Platforms once aimed to prevent harmful speech, but now the owner of X, Elon Musk, is actively sharing hate speech and misinformation,” he said.

Questioning whether this approach could worsen public debate in the UK, Dennis suggested it is a matter for journalists to discuss whether media coverage of Musk’s posts lends them undue legitimacy and a wider audience.

He highlighted the migration of activist groups, such as Black Lives Matter and 38 Degrees, to alternative platforms following Musk’s acquisition and changes to X.

“Post-Musk takeover, we’re seeing a period of transition where progressive or liberal activist groups are searching for platforms that can replace Twitter’s role in awareness-raising and mobilization,” Dennis said.

He criticized Musk for sharing factually incorrect information that appears designed to provoke, calling it “problematic” when the content “riles and antagonizes people.”

Dennis specifically referenced Musk’s description of the UK riots in the summer, during which he claimed that “civil war is inevitable.”

The UK summer riots of 2024 were sparked by a stabbing incident in Southport that resulted in the deaths of three children.

Misinformation campaigns rapidly spread across media platforms, falsely claiming the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker and sparked anti-immigration protests and riots in several cities.  

Potential legal challenges under UK Online Safety Bill

Dennis pointed out that following X’s brief ban in Brazil, the company adjusted its operations to comply with local laws to safeguard commercial interests, adding that UK regulators could enforce similar measures.

“When the (UK) law takes effect, Musk is likely to violate the provisions of the act,” Dennis told Anadolu, highlighting the potential consequences for X and Musk under the UK Online Safety Bill.

The act requires social media platforms to take action against harmful content, such as disinformation and hate speech. It mandates the removal of harmful content like incitement to violence or racial hatred, with penalties of up to £18 million ($22 million) or 10% of global revenue for non-compliance.   

*Writing by Beril Canakci in Istabul

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