Guardian Stops Sharing on X, Calls It ‘Toxic
LONDON: The Guardian newspaper has announced that it will cease posting content on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “toxic” platform filled with harmful content. The British newspaper, with nearly 11 million followers on the platform, stated that the negative aspects of X now outweigh its benefits.
The decision was prompted by concerns over the platform’s promotion of far-right conspiracy theories, racism, and other troubling content. The Guardian emphasized that its resources could be better utilized to promote its journalism on other platforms.
The paper also noted the role X played in shaping political discourse during the US presidential election, which raised further concerns about Musk’s influence. While the @guardian account remains accessible, it now redirects users to the newspaper’s website, noting that the account has been archived.
Despite halting its posts on X, The Guardian confirmed that its articles can still be shared by users, and occasionally, it may embed content from the platform in its reporting. Journalists at The Guardian are still free to use X and other social media platforms where the newspaper does not hold official accounts.
The Guardian acknowledged the importance of social media for reaching wider audiences but stressed that X no longer plays a key role in promoting its work. Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of X in 2022 has been controversial, particularly for his outspoken support of Donald Trump and his use of the platform to sway political discourse.