Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa has accused technology moguls Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk of being the world's biggest dictators, asserting that they exert immense control over global societies through their platforms. In an interview, Ressa, an American-Filipino journalist who has faced persecution from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, stated that Zuckerberg and Musk’s influence transcends languages, cultures, and geographies, manipulating public emotions and perceptions on a vast scale.

Ressa, a vocal critic of Duterte, remarked that the power held by tech giants dwarfs that of traditional political figures. "Compared to Musk or Zuckerberg, Duterte is a very small dictator," she said. She emphasized that social media platforms now possess the ability to control our emotions and shape our view of the world according to their algorithms and business models.

Highlighting the pervasive impact of these platforms, Ressa pointed out that social media can amplify societal divisions and tensions. She cited the differing societal struggles in various countries, such as the rich versus the poor in the Philippines and racial issues in the United States, exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Ressa, the way social media promotes these issues can often lead to heightened chaos and conflict.

Ressa accused tech companies of deliberately spreading fear, hatred, and anger, which, she argued, has profound negative effects on individual and social life. Her remarks underscore the growing concerns about the power and influence of technology companies in shaping public discourse and the need for greater accountability and regulation in the digital space.