Australian PM claims Elon Musk is 'out of touch' over censorship demands

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese found himself in a heated exchange of words with billionaire Elon Musk amidst a contentious debate over online censorship.

🇦🇺X REFUSES AUSTRALIAN PUSH FOR GLOBAL CENSORSHIP

Following the knife attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Sydney, the Australian eSafety Commissioner issued an order to social media platforms to take down content related to the attack.

While X complied with the request in… https://t.co/HLM0bikhYA pic.twitter.com/NlHidZVONC

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 22, 2024

The feud ignited after Australia's 'censorship czar' eSafety Commissioner demanded that Musk's platform, X, remove 'distressing' content depicting the stabbing of a bishop at a church in western Sydney.

Albanese boldly claimed that “Overwhelmingly Australians want misinformation and disinformation to stop,” in his justification for his censorship stance, which has relative bipartisan support in the nation.

In response, X vehemently opposed the directive, vowing to challenge it legally, labelling it as "unlawful and dangerous."

Albanese, seizing the opportunity, blasted X for its refusal to comply with the censorship agenda, drawing Musk's attention.

I’d like to take a moment to thank the PM for informing the public that this platform is the only truthful one https://t.co/EM0lF6n7SC

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 22, 2024

Musk mockingly thanked the Prime Minister for highlighting X as "the only truthful platform." He further ridiculed the situation with a satirical post, insinuating that X stood for free speech and truth, contrasting it with other social media platforms accused of censorship.

Don’t take my word for it, just ask the Australian PM! pic.twitter.com/ZJBKrstStQ

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 22, 2024

In retaliation, Albanese lambasted Musk as "out of touch," accusing him of prioritising ego and violence over common sense and decency.

He denounced Musk's disregard for Australian law and public sentiment, claiming the impacts of 'distress' caused by the dissemination of 'violent content.'

The verbal sparring intensified following a Federal Court injunction in favour of the eSafety Commissioner, requiring X to temporarily remove the contentious posts.