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The Guardian stops posting on Elon Musk-owned X

13 Nov 2024 4 minute read
Photo kovop

Stephen Price

The Guardian has announced that it will no longer post content on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing it as a ‘toxic social media platform’.

In an announcement to readers published today (13 November), the news organisation said it considered the benefits of being on the platform were outweighed by the negatives, citing the “often disturbing content” found on it.

The Guardian shared: “We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X.

The Guardian, which currently has over 27 million followers across its accounts, said content on the platform about which it had longstanding concerns included far-right conspiracy theories and racism. It added that the site’s coverage of the US presidential election had crystallised its decision.

It said: “This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism.”

“Toxic”

The news outlet added: “The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.”

The Guardian said X users would still be able to share their articles across the platform and that posts on X would occasionally be embedded in its work as part of its live news reporting.

Reporters would also be able to continue using the platform for news gathering purposes.

Although the Guardian’s official accounts are withdrawing from X, there will be no restrictions on individual reporters using the site beyond the organisation’s existing social media guidelines.

They shared: “Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work. Our journalism is available and open to all on our website and we would prefer people to come to theguardian.com and support our work there.”

X Boycott

The Guardian is not alone in its decision to leave X, with many leaving shortly after Elon Musk’s controversial acquisition of the platform back in April 2022.

Anti-hate speech campaign groups and the EU have criticised “free speech absolutist” Musk, the world’s richest person, over content standards on the platform since he bought it for $44bn in 2022.

Reactions to the buyout were mixed, with praise for Musk’s planned reforms and vision for the company, particularly his calls for greater freedom of speech, but criticism over fears of a potential rise in misinformation and disinformation, harassment, and hate speech.

Elon Musk. Photo Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire

Musk’s changes have allegedly helped contribute to the following impacts:

Within the United States, conservatives have largely supported the acquisition, while many liberals and former X employees have voiced concerns about Musk’s intentions.

Since becoming owner, Musk has faced backlash for his handling of the company and account suspensions, including the December 2022 suspensions of ten journalists.

Trump

Musk threw his public support behind Trump almost immediately after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania in July.

Musk is the world’s richest man, and spent election night with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

He shared his delight at the win on X, saying: “The people of America gave @realDonaldTrump a crystal clear mandate for change tonight.”

Trump also singled out Mr Musk in his victory speech, spending several minutes praising his rocket firm, Space X.

Mr Musk’s association with the president-elect also boosted the share price of his electric car maker Tesla – and, with it, his net worth, which now stands at an estimated $290bn.


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Glynn Alwyn-Jones
Glynn Alwyn-Jones
17 days ago

BRAVO – hope more will follow!!!

Jeff
Jeff
17 days ago

Come on, drop your accounts, don’t stop, delete. It is not free speech he is after it is propagation of hate with no checks or balances.

Musk is a wrecking ball and hate monger. He removed safety, allowed some truley nasty people back on that farage likes to repost.

Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins
17 days ago

Clyw, Clyw! I’ve deactivated my account because to continue is to be complicit in a fascist takeover of free expression.

Rob
Rob
17 days ago

This is not a criticism of the Guardian, but the creeping polarisation of our societies is deeply concerning

Ernie The Smallholder
Ernie The Smallholder
17 days ago

I have also closed my X account. It not long supports the ideal that was created when Twitter was created as a public company to which people could take shares in the platform. Although it has become a fascist propaganda channel there are unfortunately still people that still use the X as they have always used Twitter for various reasons, mainly of continuity. We need to reach them to advise and help them leave the channel. It is no longer the ‘Twitter’ we know, but it is X – the fascist ghetto channel. We need to build a new social… Read more »

Robert
Robert
17 days ago

Mastodon is a great alternative, I’m on toot.cymru

Che Guevara's Fist
Che Guevara's Fist
17 days ago
Reply to  Robert

Nah, bruv. All the cool kids are slinging their ‘ooks and moving on over to Bluesky. Over 1 million new users and Twitter refugees in just one week alone.

Rob
Rob
16 days ago

Another American Twitter offshoot…

Erisian
Erisian
17 days ago

Hen bryd hefyd

hdavies15
hdavies15
17 days ago

Can’t really see what all the fuss is about. X is now a platform for “like minded” people who look for an echo chamber to shout out their stuff. Similarly the Guardian has its own ecosystem of like minded folk who just can’t tolerate alternative views and opinions. So they can all go into their separate corners and howl away. Gets them nowhere but probably relieves some stresses.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
17 days ago
Reply to  hdavies15

My laptop has been in the menders for the last ten days, have I missed anything ?

hdavies15
hdavies15
16 days ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Nah, you just had 10 days for doing something else ! Hope you enjoyed it.

Vale Cymru
Vale Cymru
16 days ago

X is about as right wing as Nation Cymru is left wing, those in glass houses!

Fanny Hill
Fanny Hill
16 days ago
Reply to  Vale Cymru

Nation.Cymru seems to be quite the go to for those on the right as well but least it doesn’t attract the knuckledraggers that post abusive comments on Walesonline.

Adrian
Adrian
18 minutes ago

I don’t use social media, and I find it fascinating that those who do seem to think it’s such a big deal. Guys – nobody with an IQ north of a mollusc gives sheite if you’re on Twitter or not: other people have actual lives.

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