Good information ‘life-saving’, WHO says after Musk Twitter deal

The World Health Organization urged Twitter to continue working to root out propaganda after Elon Musk’s move to buy the social media platform—when it comes to health, good information is “life-saver” .

“The good operation of those platforms is of the utmost importance,” Michael Ryan, WHO’s head of emergencies, told reporters.

Musk, who has struck a $44 billion (41 billion euro) deal for Twitter, describes himself as a “free speech absolutist”, creating unhindered exchanges between the network’s 400 million users. can encourage.

It has raised fears that his acquisition could put an end to efforts to rein in disinformation on the platform.

False information on social media is of particular concern when it touches on how to respond to a health crisis like the COVID pandemic.

When asked about the deal, Ryan said, “It is not the business of WHO that owns or manages those platforms.”

“But of course… when someone reaches a position in life where they have such a potential impact on the way information is shared with communities, they take on a greater responsibility.”

We wish Mr. Musk the best of luck in his efforts to improve the quality of the information everyone receives.

Since the start of the COVID crisis, the UN health agency has expressed concern over the flood of misinformation on COVID and vaccines. It is working with Twitter and other social media platforms to fight the so-called “infodemic”.

“In cases like this pandemic, good information is life-saving,” Ryan said.

He added that it “may even be more life-saving than having a vaccine, in the sense that bad information sends you to some very, very bad places.”

Kate O’Brien, the WHO’s head of vaccines, said the information spread on platforms like Twitter “really impacts people.”

“It’s something that we take really seriously,” she said.

© 2022 AFP