The Leadership Conference Calls Out Threat Against Social Media Monitoring of Misinformation and Hate Speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2023
Contact: Dena Craig, [email protected]

The Leadership Conference Calls Out Threat Against Social Media Monitoring of Misinformation and Hate Speech  

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to Elon Musk’s threat to sue organizations that report misinformation and hate speech online:

“It is an indisputable fact: Study after study has shown misinformation and hate speech have increased at Twitter/X under Elon Musk. Instead of taking significant action against misinformation and hate speech, Musk is threatening to take legal action that appears to be an effort to stop an organization from holding Twitter/X accountable for becoming a haven for hate and harm doled out by some of the worst actors on the internet. Should letters like these evolve into lawsuits, we fully expect the courts to weigh the evidence and see any attempts to intimidate or chill these efforts for what they are. Bullying nonprofit and independent research is regrettable. Bringing frivolous lawsuits is sanctionable. Allowing harassment, misinformation, and disinformation should also be seen as bad for business. Musk has appeared to be committed to lifting the lid of a Pandora’s box at Twitter/X that all of us should reject.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org. 

                                                                      ###