Leading British news outlet The Guardian has decided to exit the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns about the site’s increasingly "toxic" environment. The organization articulated its decision, noting the prevalence of disturbing content, such as far-right conspiracy theories and racism, which have escalated, particularly during the tumultuous backdrop of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Reportedly, The Guardian has operated more than 80 official accounts on X, collectively boasting 27 million followers. Yet, the outlet has concluded, "We think the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and resources could be promote our journalism elsewhere." The statement made clear, stating, "This is something we have been considering for some time."
Despite the official withdrawal from posting content, users on X will still have the ability to share articles by The Guardian, and reporters can utilize the platform for newsgathering purposes. Individual journalists, too, will still be allowed to engage on X, highlighting the shift affects only the official editorial accounts.
Elon Musk’s hands-off approach to moderation and his engagement with fringe conspiracy theories have become increasingly contentious. Critics argue his tactics have allowed X to become fertile ground for extremism and misinformation, detracting from its intended role as a reliable news dissemination platform. Notably, the latest investigation by the New York Times revealed how conspiracy theorists have benefited from Musk’s influential reach.
The decision from The Guardian follows similar moves by other prominent outlets, like NPR and PBS, which abandoned their accounts over concerns about the platform’s declining standards. The Guardian’s announcement closely followed President-elect Donald Trump’s declaration of Musk’s appointment to head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, adding to the urgency of the media organization's concerns about the influence of X on political discourse.
Musk has faced scrutiny for his ties to Trump during the campaign, with prominent critics labeling him as "the epitome of banal bureaucratic evil.“ This relationship came under the spotlight after Trump survived an assassination attempt; Musk was seen as one of the most vocal supporters of Trump's campaign, oftentimes promoting his rhetoric via the platform.
This move is indicative of the wider exodus from X by various organizations as they prioritize their integrity and the quality of discourse. Of interesting note, many police forces across the UK are reevaluing their strategies concerning social media, with several opting to cut their ties with X entirely, reflecting wider societal hesitations about the platform's direction.
The issue surrounding X raises pertinent questions about social media's responsibility to filter content and how much influence owners like Musk should have on political narratives. For The Guardian, making the switch aligns with their mission of promoting factual journalism situated comfortably away from the noise of unfiltered conspiracy theories and harmful divisive content. Through this decision, they hope to refocus their energies on fostering responsible journalism, and perhaps, stir conversations about the role of social media as conduits for credible news dissemination.
