Why X (formerly Twitter) suspended investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein and what it reveals about political censorship in the lead-up to the 2024 US elections
As a retired scientist and public health professional, I have personally experienced the consequences of censorship impacting lives of innocent people, which gives me a profound understanding of the struggles authentic journalists face when they speak the truth. Naturally, I oppose the spread of harmful content on social media, especially when it poses a risk to the public. Responsible content moderation is crucial for protecting the common good
Their commitment to transparency and integrity often comes at a cost, especially when they challenge established narratives. This shared experience has deepened my empathy for those in the media who risk their platforms and careers in pursuit of honesty, and it reinforces the importance of supporting environments that protect free expression.
In a recent post I highlighted the prominent cyber attacks globally which the public did not expect. It is titled The Biggest Data Breaches You Never Saw Coming. One of the was the recent situation in the US.
In the list of the biggest breaches was the United States, where the 2024 presidential campaigns of Trump and Biden became targets. Iranian hackers took aim, compromising sensitive political strategies
I recently read an article by popular journalist Ken Klippenstein who discusses his permanent ban from X (formerly Twitter) despite the platform’s public claims that it was a temporary suspension.
He argues that his suspension is politically motivated, related to his article linking to the Vance Dossier, which allegedly contained publicly available addresses.
Klippenstein compares this to the Hunter Biden laptop story and suggests that X is selectively enforcing its policies, driven by Elon Musk’s political affiliations. He warns that such censorship could discourage future reporting on sensitive political documents.
As I subscribed to his content in another newsletter, Ken Klippenstein details how Meta and Google have blocked access to his J.D. Vance dossier, following X’s permanent ban of his account.
The platforms cite fear of foreign influence, specifically the dossier’s Iranian origin, despite no claims of the document being fake. Klippenstein criticizes this censorship, comparing it to Meta’s past mistakes in handling politically sensitive content.
He argues that such suppression reduces public access to important information, especially in times of heightened panic over foreign interference.
Then I watch an eye opening video posted by the CEO of Substack Chris Best interviewed by the co-founder Hamish McKenzie.
This 24-minute video gives us a valuable perspective on how X operating. I like the idea of free speech on X but these instances show them it is selective and subjective.
Substack vs X
Founder takes with Chris and Hamishopen.substack.com
My conclusion is that the promise of free speech on major social media platforms often feels like lip service, with content moderation swayed by political or external pressures.
While I acknowledge the complexity of these decisions, it is clear that true freedom of expression remains elusive.
That’s why I prefer writing on Substack, a platform that, so far, has respected writers’ voices — even those who critique it.
Substack provides a space where diverse opinions can be shared without fear of unjust censorship, promoting genuine dialogue and transparency.
Here is a post reflecting my thoughts about censorship for public health related content.
Understanding Medium’s Censorship on Cancer-Related Posts: A Call for Transparency
A meticulously crafted article by a specialist medical doctor and seasoned scientist has shockingly received zero…medium.com
Thank you for reading my story and listening to my podcast. I wish you a healthy and long life with your loved ones.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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Summary
This text is a blog post by a retired scientist who critiques censorship on social media platforms, focusing on the case of journalist Ken Klippenstein’s suspension from X (formerly Twitter). The author argues that X’s censorship of Klippenstein’s reporting on a leaked document, the Vance Dossier, is politically motivated and driven by Elon Musk’s affiliations. The author highlights the importance of free speech and the need for platforms to be transparent about their content moderation policies, ultimately advocating for platforms like Substack that prioritize open dialogue.
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