“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent.” Malcolm X’s words ring truer today than ever. Media controls narratives, influences opinions, and shapes public perception.
When Congress—often gridlocked on pressing issues—united to ban TikTok, a popular social media app used by millions, it raised questions far beyond the app itself.
This blog isn’t about defending TikTok. It’s about the questions we must ask when decisions that impact millions are made swiftly and with bipartisan agreement. Why TikTok? Why now? What does this mean for free expression and access to unfiltered information in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and control?
The Timing of the TikTok Ban
TikTok is not just an app; it’s a global platform that hosts 170 million active users in the U.S. alone. For many, it’s a source of extra income, a space for creativity, and even a lifeline to global perspectives on critical issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it allowed people to share unfiltered stories, offer alternative views, and connect across boundaries. It gave marginalized voices a stage, often bypassing the gatekeeping of traditional media.
Yet, this very accessibility and openness may be why it was targeted. Claims of data privacy violations were cited as the primary reason for the ban, but it’s important to note that similar concerns have been raised about other tech giants, such as Facebook and Google, without such swift action.
This raises a deeper question: why did TikTok, specifically, unite both sides of Congress when issues like healthcare, education reform, and mass incarceration remain unresolved?
Media, Control, and Censorship
Malcolm X warned about the media’s ability to manipulate minds and narratives. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly in history, with misinformation, propaganda, and selective reporting shaping public opinion. TikTok, despite its flaws, offered a counterbalance. It allowed ordinary people to document events in real time, such as protests, conflicts like those in Gaza, and other issues often misrepresented or ignored by mainstream media.
When a platform gives people unfiltered access to truth, it challenges those in power. It’s no coincidence that during the pandemic, discussions about vaccines or lockdowns were heavily censored across social platforms. While misinformation must be addressed, we must also question the role of censorship in stifling legitimate debate. TikTok provided a space where diverse perspectives could coexist—sometimes messy, often controversial, but undeniably democratic.
A Rare Bipartisan Agreement
One of the most striking aspects of the TikTok ban is how swiftly and unanimously Congress acted. This is a body often paralyzed by partisanship, unable to agree on critical issues like police reform, healthcare, or education. Why, then, was there such urgency to ban a social media app?
If we look beyond the surface, this unity raises important questions about the motivations behind the decision. Is it truly about data security, or is it about control? Are there aspects of the TikTok platform—such as its ability to bring people together across divides, challenge dominant narratives, and expose inconvenient truths—that threaten established power structures?
The Bigger Picture: Critical Thinking Over Conspiracy
It’s easy to label such discussions as conspiracy theories, but the questions being raised are rooted in history and logic. Media has always been a tool of influence, capable of dividing or uniting people. When platforms like TikTok foster collective thinking—uniting people regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation—it disrupts the status quo.
As citizens, we must be critical thinkers, not passive consumers of information. We should question why certain narratives are pushed while others are suppressed. Why are celebrity gossip and divisive content amplified, but global issues or grassroots movements are downplayed?
Balancing Information in a Global World
The TikTok ban is a reminder of the importance of diverse information sources. Relying solely on mainstream media limits our understanding of the world. By seeking global perspectives, we can challenge biases and ensure a more balanced view of events.
In a world where media wields immense power, we must remain vigilant. The TikTok ban isn’t just about an app; it’s a test of our ability to question authority, demand transparency, and protect free expression. Let’s heed Malcolm X’s warning and think critically about the information we consume and the narratives we accept.
Ultimately, the question isn’t just why TikTok was banned but what this moment reveals about power, control, and the future of free expression in a digital age.
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