Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on social media platforms to remove memes that mock or criticize him.
The shocking statement comes amidst an ongoing dispute with X CEO Elon Musk over his content moderation policies. Albanese told reporters social media must “do the right thing” and censor content such as “fake images” that are “superimposed on other people.” (i.e.., memes).
Subsequently former NBA player Andrew Bogut — and fellow Australian – shared a meme portraying PM Albanese as Adolf Hitler. The hilarious turn of events has led to social media users on X calling for a meme contest of Albanese.
Albanese’s request to social media companies comes as tensions escalate between his government and Musk over Musk’s refusal to remove the violent video of a Bishop in an Australian Church getting attacked by a man with a knife.
Musk has been a vocal critic of the Australian government’s stance, accusing them of censorship and defending X’s decision to keep the disputed content available globally.
The tech billionaire also labeled Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie an “enemy of the Australian people” after she deleted her X account following the content moderation dispute.
Lambie, in turn, slammed Musk as an “absolute friggin’ disgrace” and called for his imprisonment over his refusal to remove the violent footage, as requested by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
