#ElonMusk #FreeSpeech #CannesLions
Elon Musk Softens Stance on Advertisers, Emphasizes Free Speech
At the Cannes Lions advertising festival on Wednesday, Elon Musk clarified his stance on advertisers and free speech, softening his infamous "go f— yourself" comment from last year. Musk explained that his statement was not a blanket rejection of the advertising industry but rather a defense of freedom of speech.
Musk acknowledged that major advertisers like Apple, IBM, Disney, and Sony had withdrawn their ads from his social media platform, X, due to controversial comments and concerns over ad placements appearing next to offensive content. However, he emphasized that his commitment to free speech outweighed potential revenue losses.
"I believe it's essential to have a global free speech platform where people from a diverse range of opinions can voice their views," Musk stated. He explained that some advertisers demanded censorship, but X would not compromise its principles for financial gain. "We're going to support free speech rather than agree to be censored for money. That's the right moral decision."
Musk traveled to Cannes to meet with advertising groups and global brands, accompanied by Linda Yaccarino, X's CEO and former chairman of global advertising and partnerships for NBC Universal. He aimed to reassure the industry that X must remain a free speech platform, allowing people to express their opinions within the bounds of the law.
Original Article: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/19/elon-musk-softens-go-f-yourself-comment-to-woo-advertisers.html
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