US Election 2024

Babylon Bee censored by X-rival Bluesky

The Babylon Bee, known for its conservative satire, is accusing Bluesky, a rival platform to X, of censoring its posts and labeling them as “intolerance.” Kyle Mann, the editor-in-chief of Babylon Bee, expressed his concern to Fox News Digital, stating that Bluesky’s actions serve as a “chilling reminder” of what social media could be like without Elon Musk’s intervention in purchasing Twitter.

In 2022, Babylon Bee faced a suspension from Twitter for posting a satirical article referring to Adm. Rachel Levine, a transgender member of the Biden administration, as the “man of the year.” Twitter flagged the post as “hateful conduct” and suspended Babylon Bee’s account until Musk intervened and reinstated it.

Fast forward to the present, Babylon Bee is encountering similar issues on Bluesky, a platform created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Bluesky, designed with an “authenticated transfer protocol,” aims to provide users with more control over the content they consume compared to platforms utilizing a single algorithm.

Despite Bluesky’s emphasis on user autonomy, Babylon Bee found its posts flagged and hidden for violating Bluesky’s moderation policies. The satirical site attempted to repost the contentious article multiple times, all resulting in the same outcome.

Bluesky’s community guidelines prohibit content that promotes hate or harassment based on factors like race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Mann criticized Bluesky for its intolerance towards differing viewpoints, contrasting it with Musk’s commitment to free speech on X.

With Bluesky gaining traction and attracting former X users, the clash between censorship and freedom of expression remains a prominent issue. Mann underscored the significance of Musk’s intervention in safeguarding free speech, especially in light of Bluesky’s restrictive policies.

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As Babylon Bee continues to navigate the challenges of censorship on Bluesky, the debate over online content moderation and free speech in the digital age persists. The clash between satire, censorship, and platform policies underscores the ongoing struggle for unfettered expression in the online realm.

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