Editorial of the “World”. “You’re fired! “ (” you are fired ! “). How many times has this sentence been uttered by Donald Trump when he was still host of his reality TV game “The Apprentice”, to signify their elimination to the unfortunate candidates! Once elected President of the United States, he probably never imagined that it would be his turn to be ousted with a snap of the fingers. The sanction comes from the bosses of Twitter and Facebook, who decided Friday, January 8 to close the personal accounts of Donald Trump. These unprecedented decisions open a dizzying debate on freedom of expression.
The president of the first world power is thus deprived of his favorite mode of communication in the aftermath of a historic invasion of the Capitol, in which he bears a certain share of responsibility through the incendiary messages he posted before the assault. . Fearing that his statements could spark further violence, Twitter and Facebook took responsibility.
It is regrettable that it was not until this explosive context that these platforms have settled a haunting debate for several years already. Taken under the influence of emotion, the decision crystallizes the divisions. Long accused of laxity, social networks are today treated as censors.
Lax, they have been throughout the mandate of Donald Trump, who did not wait until January 6 to manipulate public opinion. Censors, they are in fact today. What is the legitimacy of their CEOs to set themselves up as arbiters of the debate on freedom of expression, when their main concern is to preserve the profitability of their economic model?
Trapped in an inextricable debate
Due to the lack of effective moderation systems in place and not subject to the supervision of independent authorities, these platforms find themselves trapped in an inextricable debate in the current circumstances. To do nothing was impossible given the gravity of the situation. But by acting too late and drastically, social media is fueling the idea that a plot is at work to silence Donald Trump.
Yet even when he leaves the White House, he will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding other channels of communication. The creation of a television channel and a new social network is envisaged.
This episode shows the need to frame digital platforms more closely. The European regulations currently being drawn up are going in the right direction. The United States, which has so far remained very cautious, must act in turn.
But the mistake would be to believe that attacking the symptoms will be enough to cure the disease. Today alternative truths have become a political weapon for too long underestimated by democracies, which face a considerable challenge. To cut off the sound of this anger which feeds on lies is tempting. But the real question is to ask why millions of people are ready to believe the incredible, as long as it matches what they want to hear.
By dint of not having been sufficiently attentive to the concerns of this section of opinion, the elites have allowed the phenomenon to grow, to the point of causing one of the largest democracies in the world to falter. It is not the removal of Donald Trump’s projections that will solve the problem, but an in-depth reflection on the excesses of a political and economic system in which this population no longer believes.
