Musk’s Twitter/X Sparks Debate on Personalized Governance at TPRC53

The 53rd edition of the Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy (TPRC53) convened global experts to examine pressing issues in digital policy. Among the standout sessions was a presentation by Akintunde Babatunde, Executive Director of the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), who analyzed content moderation under Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter/X.

Babatunde challenged the widespread assumption that Musk has weakened governance on the platform. Instead, he argued that Musk has personalized governance, restructuring moderation around political discretion, monetization, and ideology. This shift, he explained, represents a departure from institutionalized systems of oversight toward a model shaped by individual authority.

According to Babatunde, this transformation has given rise to what he termed Spillover Governance, where other platforms, including Meta, are beginning to experiment with similar approaches. He cautioned that this trend could reshape the global digital ecosystem, influencing how platforms balance free expression, commercial interests, and political pressures.

The presentation struck a chord with the diverse audience of academics, policymakers, and industry leaders, sparking robust discussions about the future of online governance in an era defined by shifting power dynamics.

Beyond his own session, Babatunde actively participated in panels on digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence, and broadband access. A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), who outlined priorities for global telecommunications policy and inclusive digital growth.

Attending TPRC for the third time, Babatunde underscored the importance of reconnecting with colleagues, building new networks, and engaging with the breadth of research presented at the conference.

As debates over platform accountability intensify worldwide, Babatunde’s framing of Musk’s approach as a shift from institutional to personalized governance offers a critical lens for understanding the evolving landscape of digital policy.

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