Original source (on modern site)
In a bold move to uphold the principles of free speech, X (formerly Twitter) has pledged its support to Kulvinder Kaur Gill, a Canadian physician who faced legal battles and financial hardship for voicing her opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic. Gill, a practising immunologist and paediatrician, found herself at the centre of controversy after publicly expressing her opposition to the Canadian and Ontario governments' COVID lockdown efforts and vaccination mandates on X. Her outspoken stance drew harassment from legacy media, censorship from prior Twitter management, and investigations by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), resulting in "cautions" being placed on her permanent public record. The legal battles drained Gill's life savings, leaving her with a staggering $300,000 court judgment due on Monday. In a crowdfunding campaign launched on GiveSendGo to pay the judgment, Gill's plight caught the attention of Elon Musk, the CEO of X. Recognizing the importance of defending free speech, Musk pledged to support Dr. Gill's campaign earlier this week. X has now announced that it will fund the remaining amount needed to cover Dr. Gill's $300,000 judgment and legal bills. The platform issued a statement emphasizing the crucial role of free speech in safeguarding democracy and combating totalitarianism. "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and a critical defense against totalitarianism in all forms," the statement read. "We must do whatever we can to protect it, and at X, we will always fight to protect your right to speak freely." Gill's case has sparked a broader discussion on the importance of open discourse and the potential consequences of silencing dissenting voices, even those that challenge mainstream narratives or government policies. As X doubles down on its commitment to free speech, the platform aims to create a space where diverse perspectives can be shared and debated without fear of censorship or retribution, fostering a more robust and vibrant public discourse. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed - it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More
Less
Published: 25 Mar 2024, 07:35 AM IST