| Friend, did you see the news last week? Elon Musk has agreed to honor his original offer to purchase Twitter at a $44-billion valuation, buying out the company’s shareholders to take the platform private.1 Negotiations are still underway, but the deal could be inked before critical midterm elections.
Here’s why that’s BAD: As we were writing this email, two things happened. Musk welcomed Kanye West back to Twitter after his account was limited on Instagram for anti-Semitic content.2 Then we learned of reports he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin before tweeting a proposal to end the war in Ukraine.3 This follows his troubling history of using Twitter to intimidate and disparage others, including journalists, elected officials, owners of competing businesses and anyone else who might challenge his views. And he’s made it very clear that he’ll welcome Donald Trump back on the platform with open arms.4
With our partners in the Change the Terms coalition, we’ve given social-media companies the tools they need to crack down on hate and disinformation. But with a billionaire taking over and privatizing Twitter, we’re in for the fight of our lives. That’s where you come in:
Can we count on you to make your first gift to Free Press today so we can meet this urgent moment? In our fight to combat online hate and disinformation, we’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $10,000 by midnight on Friday. We’re excited to announce that a generous donor will match every donation made between now and then dollar for dollar. If Musk completes his planned takeover of Twitter, he won’t just be purchasing another expensive play toy, but a global online community that includes hundreds of millions of regular users.
For years, Free Press and our partners in the Change the Terms coalition have pressured Twitter to be more accountable about its moderation methods. This work includes fixing Twitter algorithms and other systems that promote the most misleading and hateful content, protecting users equally regardless of where they live and what languages they speak, and being more transparent about the social network’s amplification and moderation practices.
Protecting everyone’s ability to safely participate and speak on online platforms requires careful moderation. Musk taking the company private would make the platform even more toxic to its users and the public.
If you give to Free Press today, your donation will go twice as far in our fight to curb hate and disinformation and hold social-media platforms like Twitter accountable no matter who is at the helm. I hope you’ll make your first gift today and take advantage of this generous matching offer.
With gratitude,
Jessica J. González
Co-CEO
Free Press and Free Press Action
freepress.net
P.S. Our research, advocacy and campaign to hold social-media platforms accountable would not be possible without your support. No matter the amount, please make a matched gift to Free Press today to sustain the powerful movement we’re building together.
1. “Musk's Surprising Reversal on Twitter Purchase Poses a Fundamental Threat to the Network's Users and Democracy,” Free Press, Oct. 4, 2022 2. “Elon Musk Welcomes Kanye West 'Back to Twitter' After Instagram Places a Restriction on the Rapper's Account for Violations,” Business Insider, Oct. 10, 2022 3. “Elon Musk Spoke to Putin Before Tweeting Ukraine Peace Plan: Report,” Vice, Oct. 11, 2022 4. “What Elon Musk Will Likely Do With Twitter If He Buys It,” NPR, Oct. 7, 2022  |
