Musk begs Twitter users to stay ‘as close to the truth as possible’ as fake news about Gaza war proliferates
Elon Musk pleaded with X users on Sunday to try and stick to the facts, as the site and its billionaire owner come under heavy criticism for the spread of false information regarding the Israel-Hamas war. “As always, please try stay as close to the truth as possible, even for stuff you don’t like,” Mr Musk wrote on X. “This platform aspires to maximize signal/noise of the human collective.” Critics have been hammering Mr Musk for the proliferation of fake news on the site, arguing his attempts to loosen the reins on its content moderation have allowed bad actors and dubious sources to flourish. “This site is a cesspool of disinformation,” former Obama administration official and podcaster Tommy Vietor wrote on X in response to Mr Musk’s plea. “You have made it exponentially worse, and just this morning you recommended an account known to spread lies and antisemitism. Other than that, great job.” “This site is worse than useless during a breaking news story,” Aaron Kleinman, of the States Project political advocacy group, wrote recently in response to a thread collecting false information about the war in Israel and Gaza. “Actively harmful. Don’t log in if you want to be informed.” Dubious news stories have spread far and wide on the site formerly known as Twitter since the outbreak of war in Israel yesterday. A widely seen video, purporting to show a Hamas militant shooting down an Israeli helicopter, was really a clip from a video game, BBC Verify’s Shayan Sardarizadeh reports. A Taliban spokesperson had to set the record straight after a false claim spread on social media that the group was seeking to join in the conflict, Pakistan bureau chief for WIONews Anas Mallick reports. And a widely shared clip of Israel reportedly bombing a Gazan office tower really was from fighting that occured in 2021. Critics of X allege that policy changes under Mr Musk have allowed such false information to spread more easily. Since taking over, Mr Musk has disbanded Twitter’s trust and safety team, reinstated (and at times vocally endorsed the content of) known extremists and far-right commentators, removed labels noting accounts associated with foreign governments, and allowed paid access to the verification feature, a designation on Twitter previously reserved for heads of states, celebrities, journalists, and other high-profile individuals who could see their credibility abused by imitators. The Independent has contacted X for comment. Read More Israel-Palestine conflict live: Fierce gun battles rage with Hamas militants as ‘over 700 Israelis killed’ Israel suffers bloodiest day in decades as fierce gunfights rage in streets against Hamas militants US regulators seek to compel Elon Musk to testify in their investigation of his Twitter acquisition
2023-10-09 02:46
Hotels canceled Army-Navy game room reservations due to migrant crisis. Now, some are calling for changes to Massachusetts' right-to-shelter law
Nearly two months before the march of Cadets and Midshipmen into Gillette Stadium for the annual Army-Navy game, another battle is brewing in Massachusetts.
2023-10-08 04:58
Canada Nazi row: Governor General apologises for honour given to man who fought in Waffen SS unit
The governor general's office says it regrets awarding Peter Savaryn the Order of Canada in 1987.
2023-10-06 04:59
Salisbury poisonings: Theresa May remembers Novichok attack
Theresa May was running the country when a nerve agent was used on the streets of Salisbury.
2023-10-05 14:28
The next GOP speaker will face the same traps that doomed McCarthy
Getting rid of Kevin McCarthy didn't solve anything.
2023-10-05 12:28
Supreme Court to consider whether Americans with Disabilities Act 'tester' can sue hotels for non-compliance with the law
The Supreme Court will consider the strength of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Wednesday when it hears a dispute over whether a self-appointed "tester" of the civil rights law has the right to sue hotels over alleged violations of its provisions.
2023-10-04 17:26
Canada MPs elect first black House of Commons Speaker
Greg Fergus faces the task to "restore the honour of the Chamber" after the Nazi in parliament row.
2023-10-04 03:22
Rwanda country profile
Provides an overview of Rwanda, including key dates and facts about this east African country.
2023-10-03 23:59
Niger attack: Jihadists kill dozen of soldiers in deadliest raid since coup
Killings by militant Islamists have intensified since the military seized power in July.
2023-10-03 15:45
Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples
Japan offers same-sex couples no clear legal protection, leaving them feeling nearly invisible.
2023-10-03 05:25
Takeaways from Day One of the $250 million Trump fraud trial
Former President Donald Trump showed up at a Manhattan courtroom for the opening day of the New York civil case against him and his namesake company attacking the judge in the case and the New York attorney general at every possible moment.
2023-10-03 03:50
Supreme Court declines to consider longshot bid to disqualify Trump from running for president
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will not take up a longshot challenge to Donald Trump's eligibility to run for president because of his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
2023-10-02 22:18