X blocks First Amendment-focused nonprofit from promoting non-political festival
Christopher Hutton
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Elon Musk‘s X, formerly known as Twitter, blocked a First Amendment-focused nonprofit organization from purchasing ads to promote a family-focused event, a decision that contrasts with Musk’s presentation of his platform’s view on free speech.
The Freedom Forum said it had attempted to purchase some ads on X to promote its “First Amendment Festival” on Sept. 9, an event in Washington, D.C. The organization was blocked from doing so by X, which claimed it was not allowed due to its political content. Notably, the company has said that it is allowing “cause-based advertising” back onto the platform.
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“We were both confused and frustrated,” Doug Neil, Chief Digital Officer at the Freedom Forum, told the Washington Examiner.
The Forum initially filed an ad promoting the event on Aug. 23 but was told by X’s Ad Support that the content “violates our Political Content policy,” according to screenshots provided to the Washington Examiner.
This policy includes restrictions on content referencing a candidate for election, appeals for votes, appeals for financial support, or legislative advocacy. The organization attempted to adjust its ad to make it more acceptable by X’s terms but was rejected multiple times by the website’s bot. An X representative reached out on Aug. 25 and informed the company that they only allow “cause-based or news-based” political ads and that the organization was not allowed to file additional ads.
Neil said he was confused about this decision since Musk has presented himself as a vocal advocate for the First Amendment. The billionaire has also described himself as a “free speech absolutist.”
The Forum is a non-partisan organization best known for funding the Newseum, a Washington, D.C.-based museum that promoted journalism and freedom of the press.
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X announced on Wednesday that it was expanding its efforts to host political advertising and to combat election misinformation. It had also authorized “cause-based advertising” in January.
X did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.