Elon Musk's X sues Media Matters for misrepresenting antisemitic content
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The news: Elon Musks's X Corp is suing media watchdog group Media Matters for defamation after the non-profit released a report on ads running next to pro-Nazi content on the platform, which helped trigger an advertiser exodus.
The numbers: Since Musk purchased Twitter (now X) for USD44 billion ($67 billion) in October 2022, many advertisers have left the platform, wary of some of Musk's controversial posts and layoffs the platform's content moderators. X's US ad revenue has declined at least 55% year on year each month since Musk's takeover, according to Reuters.
The context: In the lawsuit filed in a US District Court in Texas, X alleged that Media Matters "manipulated" the platform by using accounts that exclusively followed major brands or users known to produce fringe content, and "resorted to endlessly scrolling and refreshing" the feed until it found ads beside extremist posts. Media Matters' report, it claimed, misrepresented the platform "with the intention of harming X and its business".
What they said: X CEO Linda Yaccarino posted on X: "If you know me, you know I'm committed to truth and fairness. Here's the truth. Not a single authentic user on X saw IBM’s, Comcast’s, or Oracle’s ads next to the content in Media Matters’ article. Only 2 users saw Apple’s ad next to the content, at least one of which was Media Matters. Data wins over manipulation or allegations. Don't be manipulated. Stand with X."
Musk previously posted: "Media matters is pure evil".
Before the lawsuit was filed, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone had told Reuters: "If you search for white nationalist content, there are ads flourishing. The system they say exists is not operating as such."
The source: Reuters
