Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unleashed a scathing attack on the Australian government, labeling them “fascists” in response to their new legislation targeting misinformation on social media. The proposed bill would empower authorities to impose substantial fines on social media platforms found responsible for spreading false information. This legislation, if enacted, could see fines reaching 5% of a company’s annual turnover.
Musk, who owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reacted to the Australian government’s proposal with a single, blunt word: “Fascists.” This response comes amidst X’s ongoing reputation for being a breeding ground for misinformation. Musk and his platform have recently been accused of spreading false information that allegedly instigated riots in the United Kingdom.
Musk’s inflammatory comment has not been well received in Australia. Stephen Jones, the assistant treasurer, dismissed Musk’s remarks as “crackpot stuff.” Jones emphasized that the government’s bill is a matter of “sovereignty” and protecting Australians from online harm.
“Whether it’s the Australian government or any other government around the world, we assert our right to pass laws which will keep Australians safe – safe from scammers, safe from criminals,” Jones asserted. “For the life of me, I can’t see how Elon Musk or anyone else, in the name of free speech, thinks it is OK to have social media platforms publishing scam content, which is robbing Australians of billions of dollars every year. Publishing deepfake material, publishing child pornography. Livestreaming murder scenes. I mean, is this what he thinks free speech is all about?”
Meanwhile, Australia’s federal aged care minister, Anika Wells, added her voice to the chorus of disapproval, stating that she has “yet to meet [a fascist] in the government.”
The proposed Australian legislation would grant the communication watchdog the authority to monitor and regulate content on digital platforms. If self-regulation proves ineffective, authorities could enforce an industry code of conduct or introduce standards for social media companies.
This isn’t the first time Musk has engaged in a public spat with the Australian government over this issue. Back in April, the eSafety commissioner issued a directive to X to remove graphic content after clips of the Sydney bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being stabbed circulated on the platform. Musk retaliated by accusing the Australian government of suppressing free speech. Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, responded by labeling Musk an “arrogant billionaire.”
Last month, Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety commissioner, revealed that X has seven ongoing legal matters with her office related to notices issued by the commissioner. The proposed legislation and Musk’s inflammatory remarks continue to fuel the ongoing debate over content moderation, free speech, and the role of social media in a democratic society.
