NEW DELHI: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has come to the defence of Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), amid accusations by French President Emmanuel Macron of interfering in European elections. Macron alleged that Muskโs platform promoted disinformation, undermining democratic processes during recent electoral campaigns in Europe.
Macronโs criticism stems from Xโs decision to allow unmoderated content on its platform, which he claims has amplified false narratives, influencing voter opinions. Speaking at a press briefing, Macron labeled Muskโs leadership of X as โdangerously irresponsibleโ and accused him of โplaying a destabilizing role in Europeโs democratic fabric.โ Macron emphasized the need for stricter regulations on digital platforms to curb such alleged influence.
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In contrast, Giorgia Meloni dismissed Macronโs accusations, calling them โexaggerated and politically motivated.โ She defended Musk, stating that X embodies freedom of speech, a principle she believes is essential to democracy. โLabeling someone a โmonsterโ for providing a space for open debate is unfair and counterproductive,โ Meloni remarked in a public address.
The debate reflects deeper divisions between European leaders on the balance between free speech and content regulation in the digital age. While Macron has championed tougher laws on misinformation, Meloniโs support for Musk signals her alignment with a more libertarian view on tech governance.
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This clash between Macron and Meloni underscores growing tensions within the European Union regarding the influence of tech giants. Musk, responding to the accusations, tweeted, โFreedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy. Europe must decide whether it values open dialogue or censorship.โ