Blue Checks and Balances: Elon’s Twitter takeover and rising hate speech

Blue Checks and Balances: Elon’s Twitter takeover and rising hate speech

Author: The New Arab November 25, 2022 Duration: 24:51

This week on The New Arab Voice, we're examining the  takeover of Twitter by tech billionaire Elon Musk, and the implications that it will have on human rights. 

Elon Musk officially took control of Twitter on 27 October, and immediately started implementing changes. The biggest changes were related to staffing, that saw around half the company's employees sacked or resign.

The changes alarmed human rights defenders, who witnessed a spike in hate speech on the platform and raised concerns, that if Musk continued with his stated intentions, then the wildly popular platform might no longer be a safe place for those calling out abuses.

On this episode, we explore what Musk's changes mean for the platform, why human rights defenders are worried by Musk's stance on free speech, what international governments can do to prevent abuses, and what the future of the platform looks like. 

Joining us on this episode, we have Alia Al-Ghussain (@little_a91), a campaigner at Amnesty International (@AmnestyTech) working on big tech and human rights. and Imran Ahmed (@Imi_Ahmed) the founder & CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDHate).

This podcast is by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


From a London newsroom, The New Arab Voice reaches across continents, offering a distinct perspective on events and ideas shaping communities from the Middle East and North Africa to Asia and global diasporas. This isn't just a headlines recap. Each episode weaves together rigorous news analysis, cultural insight, and historical context, treating complex political shifts and societal transformations with the depth they deserve. You'll hear from people living the stories-artists, analysts, and everyday voices-providing a nuanced understanding that moves beyond simplistic narratives. The podcast reflects the rich tapestry of the regions it covers, finding the connections between past and present, policy and personal experience. For listeners seeking to move past soundbites and explore the interplay of power, identity, and heritage, The New Arab Voice provides essential listening. It’s where current affairs meet deep storytelling, all grounded in the extensive journalistic tradition of The New Arab. Tune in for conversations that challenge assumptions and illuminate the underreported, fostering a more informed and engaged perspective on a dynamic part of the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The New Arab Voice
Podcast Episodes
2025 in Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:15
The year is drawing to a close, which means its time for The New Arab Voice's annual review of year. To guide us through the tangled mess of the past 12 months, we're joined by The New Arab's Managing Editor Karim Trabou…
The Poachers Trail: Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:02
This is part 2 of a special investigation. You can find part 1 in your feeds now.For 15 months, The New Arab, in cooperation with Bridges Investigations, explored the shadowy world of Maltese bird hunters.We uncovered ho…
The Poachers Trail: Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
For 15 months, The New Arab, in cooperation with Bridges Investigations, explored the shadowy world of Maltese bird hunters.We uncovered how Maltese hunters, frustrated by local laws, were travelling to Egypt to slaughte…