[Melomomololo]

He actively engaged now in EU politics.

Interview with the afd, using his huge platform for disrespecting politician's etc.

He is a clear threat to democracy.

The fun stopped at that point.

[cwbriscoe]

Free speech is a threat to democracy?

[red-iron-pine]

only the US lionizes "free speech" and the first amendment; Europe doesn't immediately roll over when someone invokes the bill of rights.

doubly so when their main defense of "free speech" is defending neo-nazi's in the pocket of putin

[mft_]

You're being hugely reductive.

What we're really talking about is the richest man in the world, who owns one of the largest social media platforms in the world, using his financial and social media power to directly influence politics and/or elections according to his whim, and (it seems) currently to the benefit of causes or candidates who are often right-wing, and/or extreme or anti-establishment in some way.

There's a lot to unpack there, beyond "free speech".

[gazchop]

Yes, when someone uses it to weaponise or manipulate the population via spreading lies and misinformation.

I think the Greeks worked that one out a couple of thousand years ago or so...

Free speech does not mean there is no accountability for what you say.

[surgical_fire]

EU is not the US buddy. There's no 1st amendment here, and some speech can be considered a illegal.

Case in point, I am pretty sure that certain Nazi talking points, such as Holocaust denial is illegal in Germany.

[Melomomololo]

Free speech can be a problem especially when fake/false information is part of it.

But let's be honest Elon musk is doing propaganda and the worst version of free speech.

You are not bothered by an oligarch buying propaganda platform? / Making himself one?