Editor’s view: Tech giants are about profit – not free speech

This is not about censorship or freedom of expression. It is instead about the protection of lucrative business models, no matter the cost to you or your community, writes the editor.

Do the social media giants have any inkling at all of the concept of good corporate citizenship? Do they have any sense of social responsibility, or even any thought that the laws of the land also apply to them?

Or are they now just so big and all-pervasive, they feel they can do whatever they want? Elon Musk and his X platform (the old Twitter), seem to think it is the latter.

Ordered by Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to remove graphic footage of last week’s Sydney church stabbing, their response was essentially: “See you in court.”

And that is where they have ended up after the Federal Court last night ordered videos from the stabbing must be taken down.

The company had argued the Australian order would amount to a global content ban, and so goes beyond the eSafety Commissioner’s authority. X declared: “We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court.”

But just in case this predictably lawyerly bluster isn’t enough, Mr Musk has also and improbably tried to claim the high moral ground.

He insists this is really all about freedom of expression and a high-minded stand against censorship.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Really? Freedom of speech is one thing. It should always be held dear. But to dismiss existing laws so blatantly and provocatively appears to really be about something else.

We would suggest this reaction is much more about X trying to remain unfettered by pesky local content rules and regulations, which if successfully enforced in one country could then be copied elsewhere around the world.

The obvious point to make is X would not be having this fight if it displayed even the smallest skerrick of good corporate citizenship and social responsibility.

Because whether or not X is within its legal rights to post highly distressing footage of violence, surely Mr Musk should be able to see why representatives of a community still reeling from the horrors of last week’s stabbings might want his company to show some moderation and decency.

X is, of course, not alone when it comes to apparent self-interest and disregard of local sentiment.

Just look at the laissez-faire approach of the other big social media companies to self-regulating the publication of provocative content on their various platforms, such as young thugs recording themselves breaking into houses or hooning in stolen cars – a trend that directly fuels our crime crisis.

There is also the problem of providing a platform to unqualified content creators dishing out unfettered harmful advice.

X chief executive Elon Musk. Picture: AFP

As we report today, top medical professionals – including GPs, psychologists and nutritionists – are warning that young Australians are putting their health at risk by following advice posted on social media platforms.

Eight out of 10 young Australians are turning to TikTok for medical advice, but, alarmingly, just 2.1 per cent of the nutrition content studied as part of the research was accurate.

The social media companies will no doubt argue they are already dedicating resources to monitoring content and point to the admittedly genuine challenges of deciding what should or should not be published in the first place.

But post a photo of a nipple and their algorithms will ping you in seconds. Post one of you actually committing a crime and they will defend your right to free speech.

The question of censorship of debate and ideas is always a valid concern. The Courier-Mail believes in and has a history of fighting strongly for Your Right to Know.

But this is not about censorship or freedom of expression. It is instead about the protection of lucrative business models, no matter the cost to you or your community.

Premier Steven Miles announces the appointment of veteran officer Steve Gollschewski as new Police Commissioner. Picture: Steve Pohlner

CRIME RATES A WORRY

It does seem that our brave and hardworking police are starting – just starting – to win their war on youth crime. This is, of course, a hugely welcome development.

But there is still a mammoth task ahead for Queensland’s new Police Commissioner, Steve Gollschewski.

His appointment was approved by state cabinet yesterday – as the Statisticians Office released data that proved once and for all that Queenslanders have not imagined it: crime rates have been soaring.

The headline offences per people rate rose a staggering 11.2 per cent in the 12 months to June last year, and more than half of all the break-ins, car thefts and robberies in the state are being committed by kids – with 560 more individual youths caught committing crime last year than the year before.

The only saving grace was the point Premier Steven Miles was so keen to make – that in the nine months since those figures were collated, the overall crime rate has dropped a single percentage point.

He said that means there are indications of “the turning of a corner on those (crime) rates”.

As we say, a good thing. But it still means crime rates are 10 per cent worse than two years ago, which is hardly a result any government would want to be crowing about.

We wish the new Commissioner well, and remind the Premier that the police need effective powers.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here