- Open Markets Institute calls relevant entities to block Elon Musk’s Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) takeover.
- OMI says the deal is a threat to “American democracy and free speech.”
- FCC responded it has no authority to block the purchase.
Elon Musk’s Twitter drama has been a hot topic leading to several discussions and speculations, inviting both supportive and opposing remarks. Joining the discussion is the Open Markets Institute (OMI). The non-profit organization is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Justice Department (DOJ), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block Musk’s acquisition of Twitter.
JUST IN: The FCC, FTC and DOJ were asked to block Elon Musk’s deal to acquire Twitter after claiming the transaction poses a “direct threat to American democracy and free speech”.The Commissioner responded and said they had no authority to block the purchase. pic.twitter.com/vMSG8eAhKq
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) April 28, 2022
In a statement released by the OMI, Director Barry Lynn explains how the US government can block Elon’s Twitter takeover. The statement reads that Elon’s deal poses a number of “immediate and direct threats to American democracy and free speech.” Also, the organization believes that the deal violates existing laws and that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have the legal authority to block it.
However, in response to the statement, the FCC Commissioner said that “it has no authority to block Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter,” suggesting the idea is absurd. The commissioner added that he would welcome the full FCC, making it clear that they will not entertain these kinds of frivolous arguments.
Significantly, OMI points out that the deal would go to a single hand — Elon Musk, who has already gained huge political and economic power. Moreover, the move would be a direct control of the world’s important social media platform for public communication.
Meanwhile, OMI stated that Musk already controls the internet platform and satellite communication system Starlink. This is a violation as he holds both giant platforms simultaneously, which is a technical violation by law.
The statement also specifies that many federal acts, like the Telegraphs Act of 1860 and the Communications Act of 1934, allow citizens to have the absolute right to ensure full openness and neutrality of all important public infrastructure.