Camila Francisco
Brazil’s attorney-general has called for urgent regulation of social media platforms following Elon Musk’s defiance of a court order on his X platform and his call for a Supreme Court justice to step down.
Jorge Messias emphasized the need to address the influence of foreign billionaires controlling social networks and flouting legal orders. Musk’s platform, X, faced court-mandated account blocks, purportedly related to far-right movements.
Musk accused Supreme Court Justice Alexandre De Moraes of issuing the orders and demanded his resignation or impeachment.
This move aligns with Musk’s stance as a free speech advocate, evident since he acquired X in 2022 and relaxed moderation policies.
Critics argue that Musk’s actions cater to the far-right narrative in Brazil, which accuses the Supreme Court of censorship. De Moraes, who played a pivotal role in safeguarding Brazilian democracy during the 2022 elections, faced scrutiny from Musk and his allies.
Lawmaker Orlando Silva condemned Musk’s disrespect toward the judiciary and proposed legislation to regulate digital platforms’ responsibilities.
Brazil’s democracy faced threats in 2022, with allegations of a coup plot involving then-President Bolsonaro and military officers surveilling Justice De Moraes. This incident underscores the challenges to democratic institutions.
Globally, social media platforms confront pressure from governments to comply with content regulations.
Despite Musk’s advocacy for free speech, X has encountered censorship demands, notably contesting the Turkish government’s removal requests in court.
In summary, Brazil’s call for social media regulation reflects broader global debates on balancing free speech with legal compliance and governmental oversight.
