Freedom of speech & expression

European Commission Study: X a Major Source of Disinformation

SEP 27 2023·Updated FEB 7 2024

Story

Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

According to a European Commission study, X — formerly Twitter — has the biggest proportion of disinformation among six major social media platforms.
BBC News
The study analyzed over 6K unique social media posts and 4K user accounts across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and X in Spain, Poland, and Slovakia.
TNW
European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova, asking online platforms to address the risk of online meddling in elections and war, specifically urged X's owner, Elon Musk, to comply with EU's laws around disinformation.
The Associated Press
Arguing that X had the "largest ratio of mis/disinformation posts," Jourova said, "Disinformation actors were found to have significantly more followers…and tend to have joined the platform more recently than non-disinformation users."
Forbes
X had joined the EU's voluntary code of practice on disinformation in 2018 but withdrew from it following the platform's takeover by Musk in 2022. EU intends to bring the code under its Digital Services Act that X will reportedly be subjected to.
BBC News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Elon Musk's policy changes at X have led to a tsunami of mis- and disinformation on the platform, as suggested by this report. Since his takeover, the platform has witnessed a cratering of ad revenue due to his failure to tackle toxicity and fake news. His plan to now end free access to X could trigger a final exodus of legacy users while disinformation and spammers fill the gap.

TechCrunch

Narrative B

X has witnessed a much-needed course correction since the takeover by Musk as he eased restrictive and authoritarian content policies. He has also made the platform much more streamlined. Musk has also been a champion of free speech, and under his leadership, X has become a true digital town square.

FOX News