Social media platform Twitter has stated in uncategorical terms that it is not going to remove or suspend President Trump’s personal account despite pressure from anti-Trump liberals including members of the Trump-hating media saying people “should be able to see and debate” his tweets.
In a public response through a blog post titled World Leaders on Twitter, the company without mentioning names defended its stated position why it had not suspended or taken down President Trump’s personal account.
President Trump’s Tweet that caused an uproar among Liberals. Credit: Twitter
“Blocking world leaders from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate,” it announced on Friday.
Explaining further, it said blocking an account “would also not silence that leader but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”
Protesters outside Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, California, projecting a message on the wall. Credit: The Washington Post/Geoffrey A. Fowler
When questioned last year about President Trump’s tweets, the platform’s Chief Executive, Jack Dorsey insisted that all users would be held to the same standard but also pointed out that Twitter had made an exception for the President’s tweets because of their newsworthiness, a fundamental factor that should be considered.
“I think it’s really important that we maintain open channels to our leader, whether we like what they’re saying or not, said Dorsey.
President Trump’s personal Twitter account screen capture taken on 3 April 2017. Credit: AP/J. David Ake
Twitter also says it helps “advance the global, public conversation” where “elected world leaders play a critical role in that conversation.”
They also rejected insinuations that they haven’t suspended President Trump’s personal account because of what it does to the company’s bottom line, “We review Tweets by world leaders within the political context that defines them and enforce our rules accordingly,” read the statement, adding, “No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth or influences these decisions.”
President Trump’s tweet shown on television at a Seoul Railways Station, South Korea. Credit: AP/Ahn Young Joon
While Twitter has defended President Trump’s First Amendment – the right to free speech – the company insists that he hasn’t violated any of its policies. However, it has cracked down on those who violate their updated guidelines including promoting hate-speech or messages that glorify or promote violence.
Twitter has also acknowledged that it is not easy policing newsworthy accounts and doing so can be very difficult.
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