US right shifts tone on social media censorship after Charlie Kirk’s murder

For years, US tech giants were criticised by conservatives for censoring speech on social media.

Now, social media platforms are facing pressure to do more to police content from many conservatives incensed over the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk’s killing during a speaking event in Utah last week unleashed a wave of negative commentary about the activist online, ranging from criticism of his conservative views to morbid celebrations of his death.

Graphic footage of Kirk’s murder also ricocheted across platforms, exposing millions of people to gory images of his final moments.

In the hours after the killing, Republican House Representative Anna Paulina Luna urged Meta, X and TikTok to take down videos of Kirk’s death, warning that “at some point, social media b