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British news publisher the Guardian announced on Wednesday that it will cease posting on X, citing 'disturbing content' on the social media platform, which includes instances of racism and conspiracy theories. The left-leaning Guardian, which boasts 10.7 million followers on X, marks the first major UK media company to withdraw from the platform since Elon Musk acquired it in 2022. Critics argue that Musk's laissez-faire approach has enabled the proliferation of falsehoods and hate speech on what was formerly known as Twitter.
'We believe that the advantages of being on X are now overshadowed by the disadvantages, and that our resources could be more effectively utilized in promoting our journalism elsewhere,' the Guardian stated in an editorial published on its website. 'This decision has been under consideration for some time, given the frequently disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism.'
In response, Musk took to X and dismissed the Guardian as 'irrelevant.' Musk, who publicly supported Donald Trump before his recent U.S. election victory, has asserted that he is championing freedom of speech. Trump, on Tuesday, appointed Musk to a position aimed at enhancing government efficiency.
The role of X and similar platforms came under scrutiny in Britain this year following outbreaks of far-right and racist violence, sparked by online posts falsely alleging that an attack in the northern English town of Southport, where three young girls were killed, was perpetrated by an Islamist migrant. Reuters initially reported last month that a British police force had stopped posting on X, with several others reevaluating their participation.
In recent months, some British charities, health organizations, and educational institutions have also announced their intention to cease posting on X. The British government continues to post on X but refrains from using it for paid communications. However, it does advertise on Meta's Instagram and Facebook, according to a government source who spoke to Reuters last month.
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