On Wednesday, I was really pleased to announce that our first inquiry as the new science, innovation, and technology committee would look at social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms – a pressing issue, given last summer’s terrible riots.
By better understanding how technology drives the spread of false and harmful content on social media – and its relationship to both tech business models and social disorder – the committee can play a vital role in learning the lessons of the summer and preventing such disorder happening again.
Much of the coverage since the announcement has centred on Elon Musk and whether he would take up an invitation to give evidence to our inquiry.
This was inevitable: Mr Musk is one of the world’s most famous, wealthy, and influential people. He has outspoken views on politics, which he shares freely on one of the world’s largest social media platforms, X, which he owns.
But this is not about making headlines – though I welcome all coverage of science and tech issues – nor is it about picking a fight. And the committee certainly won’t be issuing a formal summons. It’s an invitation.
X is one of the most relevant social media platforms to our inquiry. We want to hear from senior figures at X so that we can gather the best evidence possible. And Mr Musk is the most senior representative of X, with strong views on misinformation as well as freedom of expression, an important subject in its own right.
As a commons select committee, we owe it to the public to be completely rigorous in our investigations. And in this case, it’s only right that we look at platform X and its social impact, as well as other online services such as TikTok and indeed Google. We need to hear from a wide range of views, so as not to fall victim to group think.
Mr Musk would be an exceptionally helpful person to speak to about algorithms, business models, free speech, and online misinformation. If he declines to come, then I hope a senior representative from X can attend in his stead.
We talk of ‘online harm’ but the violence we saw on UK streets this summer has shown the dangerous real-world impact of spreading misinformation and disinformation across social media. We’re determined to learn the right lessons, protect freedom of speech and protect the public.
In the months ahead, I hope Mr Musk and leaders from across tech will help our inquiry to do just that.
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