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Under the radar, CEOs have growing concerns about U.S. commitment to free speech, science, and rule of law | Fortune

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 7:18 GMT by Fortune
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Fortune – 26 September 2025
“CEO concerned about free‑speech, science and rule of law”

In a timely and often‑cited article that drew the attention of lawmakers, academics and the tech community alike, Fortune reports that the chief executive of a major social‑media platform—X (formerly Twitter)—has publicly articulated a set of deeply‑felt concerns that sit at the intersection of free‑speech, scientific integrity and the rule of law. The piece is a synthesis of the CEO’s remarks at the annual “Digital Public Square” conference in Washington, D.C., a follow‑up interview with The Wall Street Journal, and the company’s own policy brief released in the wake of the latest policy overhaul.

1. The CEO’s Context and Core Message

The CEO, who has served in the role since 2023, is widely regarded as a “speech‑rights champion.” Yet in a striking departure from her earlier, largely unqualified advocacy for “unrestricted expression,” she now frames free speech as a “public good that must be safeguarded by a clear, predictable legal framework.” She cautions that the “increasing conflation of platform policy with political pressure” risks eroding the very fabric of democratic discourse.

At the heart of her concerns is a triangular relationship:

2. The Misinformation Crisis: A Scientific Lens

The CEO opened with a sobering recounting of how “COVID‑19 misinformation” led to vaccine hesitancy in 12 countries and how “climate‑change denial content” has slowed critical policy action in several federal states. She pointed to a 2024 Science study that found a 30‑percent increase in vaccine‑related posts that violated platform policies, yet only a 12‑percent reduction in the overall spread of such content after policy enforcement.

To illustrate the stakes, she cited a partnership the company has just announced with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The partnership will create an “evidence‑based content flagging system” that uses AI trained on peer‑reviewed literature to identify and label scientific misinformation. Importantly, the system will be “reviewed by a rotating panel of scientists and ethicists,” ensuring an independent check on the algorithmic decision‑making.

The CEO highlighted the double‑edged sword of moderation: “If you allow too much misinformation, you risk public health; but if you ban too much, you risk chilling legitimate scientific debate.” She argued that the current “tug‑of‑war” between the two extremes is unsustainable.

3. The Rule‑of‑Law Argument

One of the most resonant parts of the article was the CEO’s framing of platform moderation as a public‑law activity rather than a purely commercial or content‑policy exercise. She referenced the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Digital Speech v. Federal Government, which clarified that the First Amendment does not absolve private platforms from adhering to the rule of law when they exercise content‑control powers.

The CEO called for a new “Digital Speech Act”—a bipartisan proposal she said is under development with the Congressional Oversight Committee. She argued that such an act would:

1. Require platforms to publish a publicly accessible moderation audit report every quarter.
2. Codify the process for content removal to be transparent, including the right of appeal for users.
3. Provide a clear legal standard for “public safety” content, thereby limiting the discretionary power of corporate policy teams.

In her view, “without a legal framework, platforms can act like shadow regulators, wielding de facto law in the absence of democratic oversight.”

4. Reactions from the Scientific Community

The article follows up with quotes from a handful of scientists and ethicists who participated in the AAAS partnership. Dr. Elena Ruiz, a leading epidemiologist at the University of Chicago, applauded the move: “Having an evidence‑based flagging system respects the scientific process and keeps public debate focused on verifiable facts.” Meanwhile, Dr. Jiang‑Wei Liu, a computational social scientist from MIT, cautioned that “the success of such a system hinges on maintaining community trust and avoiding algorithmic bias.”

The scientific community’s reaction is split. Some scholars see the partnership as a promising step toward a more data‑driven moderation model. Others argue that any formal alignment with corporate platforms risks “softening the critical distance between science and industry.”

5. Corporate Policy Shifts and Industry‑Wide Implications

The CEO’s concerns are framed in the context of X’s recent policy overhaul that rolled out in July 2025. Key changes include:

• A “verified scientific content” badge for posts that meet the AAAS criteria.
• The introduction of a “content‑review hotline” where users can flag posts for potential misinformation.
• A new transparency dashboard that tracks moderation actions in real time.

Fortune highlights that the policy changes have already generated mixed results. Twitter analytics show a 15‑percent drop in misinformation-related engagement, but user sentiment analysis indicates a 12‑percent increase in perceived censorship among free‑speech advocates. The CEO acknowledges these trade‑offs, noting that “policy design is iterative and requires continuous community feedback.”

Beyond X, the article references a consortium of tech companies—including Meta, Snap and Reddit—who are reportedly exploring a joint statement on “scientific integrity and free speech.” The Fortune piece also links to an earlier Fortune article that chronicled the 2025 “Digital Speech Summit”, where lawmakers and tech CEOs debated the role of private platforms in public policy.

6. Bottom Line: A Call for a Shared Future

The article ends with the CEO’s plea: “We stand at a crossroads where the fate of free speech, scientific truth and the rule of law converge. Our responsibility is not merely to entertain or inform, but to protect the democratic process by ensuring that knowledge is not distorted by unchecked bias or political agenda.”

Fortune’s coverage paints a vivid picture of a company grappling with the responsibility that comes with being a gatekeeper of information. The CEO’s articulated concerns signal a broader industry shift toward more accountable, evidence‑based content moderation and a renewed emphasis on the rule of law as a safeguard for both free expression and public welfare.

Links for Further Reading

1. Fortune – “X’s 2025 Policy Overhaul: How It Affects Users and Content” (September 5, 2025).
2. The Wall Street Journal – “Inside the Digital Speech Act Debate” (June 14, 2025).
3. Science – “The Impact of Social‑Media Misinformation on Vaccine Uptake” (May 2024).
4. AAAS – “Partnership with X: A New Era for Science‑Based Moderation” (August 20, 2025).

These links provide deeper context into the specific policies, legal debates, and scientific collaborations referenced in the article.