The Facts
Social media platform X — formerly known as Twitter — will now allow advertising from political parties and candidates in the US, reversing a policy initially implemented in 2019.
The decision comes as the US begins to look toward the 2024 presidential election. In a blog post on Tuesday, X stated that the platform is "building on our commitment to free expression."
The Spin
Narrative A
The reality is that X is likely in need of a revenue boost, given the well-known news that ad sales have more than halved since Musk took over. While the company claims it will moderate content effectively, it remains to be seen how this will practically occur as political advertisements return to the platform. This move is a desperate cash grab that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Narrative B
Targeted political advertising on social media will be one of the most significant tools in the 2024 election. With so many using social media to consume news, virtual platforms have become battlegrounds in their own unique capacity. Social media platforms, as well as individuals themselves, must responsibly analyze and evaluate the incoming political storm brewing as we come ever closer to 2024.