Summary:

Concerns About Social Media: The author draws parallels between concerns that led to discussions about banning TikTok in the U.S. and the current state of X (formerly Twitter).

X as a Threat: The author argues that X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, poses a threat to Canadian democracy.

Increased Racism and Misinformation: The platform is described as having become more racist and a source of increasing misinformation since Musk’s acquisition.

Content Moderation: Musk’s leadership is criticized for gutting content moderation, unbanning alt-right figures, and turning the platform into a partisan propaganda machine.

“Free Speech Absolutism”: Musk’s defense of his actions using “free speech absolutism” is dismissed as untenable.

Canadian Law: Canadian freedom of expression law is noted to be more robust than that of the U.S., allowing for reasonable limits on speech.

Foreign Influence: The author suggests that X’s current conduct would not be tolerated if it were aligned with a government like China.

Musk and Trump: Musk’s close ties to Donald Trump and the potential for pro-Trump propaganda targeting Canadian voters are highlighted as a specific threat.

Echoes of the Broadcasting Act: The author draws a parallel to the Broadcasting Act of 1958, which restricted foreign ownership of broadcasters to protect Canadian discourse.

Message to Social Media Companies: Banning X would send a message to other social media companies about their responsibilities to Canadians.

Call to Action: The author urges the current Prime Minister to ban X before the next election.

Trump’s annexation comments: Notes Trump’s comments about annexing Canada.

X as an Anti-Canadian Propaganda Machine: Concludes that X should be treated as a real threat.

  • Isaac@waterloolemmy.ca
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    23 hours ago

    That’s awesome! Yes each country, region, municipality should have their own instance. I’ve spun up a Lemmy instance and going to try and make grassroots in roads by going to local businessses and trying to get them to sign up.

    Its a chicken and the egg dilemma. Trying to get users is hard, but if there are businesses that interact with local users then there’s something more whole some. Not zucc, musky, or the other broligarchs making pennies on each local interaction. Their power needs to be usurped by the people.

    • jagged_circle@feddit.nl
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      19 hours ago

      I think one instance per country is sufficient. Maybe per State. But there’s really no need for each city to have their own instance

      • Isaac@waterloolemmy.ca
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        7 hours ago

        That’s the beauty, I spun up my own and you can too. It allows for data sovereignty and ownership if you own your own node and once critical mass is reached then its game over for established social media oligarchs. SReddit is issuing warnings and likely only time before they kiss the ring for Cheeto Mussolini and ban and dissenting opinions.