Composers like Nicola Piovani, singers like Francesco Guccini and Piero Pelù, as well as the Social Democratic MEP Sandro Ruotolo have recently turned their backs on X.
“Musk is a threat to freedom”
“Elon Musk is a threat to democracy and freedom. In light of Musk’s extremely dangerous, neo-imperialist statements, I have decided to close my profile on X,” announced Pelù, frontman of the Italian rock band Litfiba. “Many tell me that I am crazy for making this decision, but I believe that it is fundamental today to show clear signs of civil resistance,” said the singer.
“It’s time to go,” commented the well-known Roman film music composer Nicola Piovani. EU parliamentarian Ruotolo sees the situation in a similar way. “I have decided to leave prevents me from continuing to be present on X,” emphasized Ruotolo.
Musk: “These judges have to go”
Even the doyen of Italian songwriters, Francesco Guccini, no longer wants to know anything about X (formerly Twitter). “Musk has ideas that are light years away from mine. I have no interest in communicating on a platform that helps manipulate political ideas. I don’t think anyone will miss me on X,” said Guccini.
Musk, who will be responsible for efficient governance under the future US administration under President Donald Trump, got involved on Tuesday in a dispute between the Italian judiciary and the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is good friends with the richest man in the world is. “These judges have to go,” Musk wrote on
“Toxic media platform”
The reaction came promptly from Italian head of state Sergio Mattarella. “Italy is a great, democratic country and can take care of itself,” Mattarella wrote on Wednesday. Anyone who – like Musk – should take on an “important government function” in a friendly and allied state “must respect its sovereignty and cannot make it their business to give it instructions.”
The British newspaper “The Guardian” will also no longer post on the online platform in the future due to the role of X owner Elon Musk. “The US presidential election campaign has only underscored what we have long thought: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, was able to use its influence to influence political discourse,” said the editorial team.
The portal also promotes “often disturbing content” such as right-wing extremist conspiracy theories and racism, it said. Previously blocked user accounts of well-known right-wing extremists, misogynists and conspiracy theorists were released again under Musk. The newspaper also referred to EU criticism of the content standards on X since it was taken over by the tech billionaire.
What are Piero Pelù’s main concerns regarding Elon Musk’s influence on social media and democracy?
**Interview with Piero Pelù: A Departure from X and a Stand for Freedom**
**Interviewer:** Welcome to our show, Piero Pelù. You recently announced your decision to leave the social media platform X, citing concerns over Elon Musk’s influence. Can you tell us what specifically prompted you to take this step?
**Piero Pelù:** Thank you for having me. My decision stemmed from what I perceive as a serious threat to democracy and freedom under Musk’s stewardship. His recent comments, which can be described as neo-imperialist, made me realize that staying on a platform that contributes to such a dangerous narrative is not something I can support. It’s important to take a stand, even if some think I’m crazy for it. Civil resistance is crucial in today’s world.
**Interviewer:** You’re not alone in this sentiment. Several prominent figures, including Nicola Piovani and Francesco Guccini, have also distanced themselves from X. Do you think this is part of a larger movement among artists and public figures?
**Piero Pelù:** Absolutely. I believe this is a reflection of growing unease among artists and intellectuals regarding the manipulation of public discourse through social media. Each individual’s decision to leave signals a collective stand against a platform that no longer aligns with our democratic values. We can no longer remain silent while these platforms contribute to a toxic media environment.
**Interviewer:** In your statement, you referred to “clear signs of civil resistance.” Can you elaborate on what that means to you?
**Piero Pelù:** Civil resistance, to me, is about acknowledging when a system or platform becomes detrimental to society and taking actionable steps against it. For artists and public figures, it means using our voice not just for our art, but to challenge harmful narratives and advocate for a healthier public discourse. Leaving X is a personal act of defiance against a model that I find unacceptable.
**Interviewer:** Alongside individual actions, there have been institutional reactions, such as those from political leaders like Sergio Mattarella. How significant do you find these responses?
**Piero Pelù:** Very significant. It shows that this issue transcends personal choices; it’s a matter of national and international concern. When leaders express that social platforms should respect their sovereignty and democratic values, it adds weight to our individual decisions. It highlights that we are not just voicing personal grievances but calling for a broader reevaluation of how these platforms operate.
**Interviewer:** how do you see the future of social media in light of these concerns? Can we expect to see a migration towards alternative platforms?
**Piero Pelù:** Yes, I think we will inevitably see users migrate to alternatives that value freedom and transparency. There are emerging platforms that promise to maintain ethical standards and prioritize user well-being. It’s essential that we as consumers support these alternatives to encourage a healthier media landscape. We have the power to shape the future of our social interactions by choosing where to spend our time and which platforms to champion.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Piero Pelù, for joining us today and sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
**Piero Pelù:** Thank you for having me. Let’s keep the conversation going.