Publications
Publications
- April 2023
- HBS Case Collection
Twitter: The Freedom to Speak Freely and Be Heard
By: Randolph B. Cohen, Carin-Isabel Knoop and Mel Martin
Abstract
In April 2022, serial entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that he would be interested in purchasing the social media site Twitter for $44 billion. With more than 100 million twitter followers, Musk had historically leveraged the site to engage with the customers of his many businesses such as Tesla and Space X. He also openly shared his beliefs on business, culture, and politics worldwide.
In previous years, Musk had commented thought that Twitter’s content moderation was too strict and criticized the company’s leadership for banning users such as former President Donald Trump and censoring unverified information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. He also thought the company could be more profitable if it made different business decisions such as offering subscription to users wanting more access and influence on the platform. When Musk announced his interest in Twitter, a debate about all such issues the platform erupted. Twitter users argued the ethics of a privately-owned public square, the merits of Elon Musk’s claims about the platforms content moderation, and the potential impact such a sale could have on public discourse. After the deal closed, Musk made it clear that he would make dramatic changes to the platform.
In previous years, Musk had commented thought that Twitter’s content moderation was too strict and criticized the company’s leadership for banning users such as former President Donald Trump and censoring unverified information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. He also thought the company could be more profitable if it made different business decisions such as offering subscription to users wanting more access and influence on the platform. When Musk announced his interest in Twitter, a debate about all such issues the platform erupted. Twitter users argued the ethics of a privately-owned public square, the merits of Elon Musk’s claims about the platforms content moderation, and the potential impact such a sale could have on public discourse. After the deal closed, Musk made it clear that he would make dramatic changes to the platform.
Keywords
Values and Beliefs; Acquisition; Social Media; Power and Influence; Technology Industry; Communications Industry; Public Relations Industry; United States
Citation
Cohen, Randolph B., Carin-Isabel Knoop, and Mel Martin. "Twitter: The Freedom to Speak Freely and Be Heard." Harvard Business School Case 223-026, April 2023.