Guardian quits X social media platform, citing racism and conspiracy theories By Reuters
(Reuters) – British information writer the Guardian mentioned on Wednesday it is going to not publish to X, citing “disturbing content material” on the social media platform, together with racism and conspiracy theories.
The left-leaning Guardian, which has 10.7 million followers on X, turns into the primary giant UK media firm to retreat from the platform that Elon Musk bought in 2022.
Critics say Musk’s hands-off method has allowed lies and hate speech to unfold on the platform previously generally known as Twitter.
“We expect that the advantages of being on X at the moment are outweighed by the negatives and that assets might be higher used selling our journalism elsewhere,” the Guardian mentioned in an editorial revealed on its web site.
“That is one thing we’ve got been contemplating for some time given the customarily disturbing content material promoted or discovered on the platform, together with far-right conspiracy theories and racism.”
In response, Musk posted on X and mentioned of the Guardian: “They’re irrelevant.”
Individually, former CNN anchor Don Lemon can be leaving Musk-owned social media platform, he introduced in a publish on X on Wednesday.
“I as soon as believed it was a spot for sincere debate and dialogue, transparency, and free speech, however I now really feel it doesn’t serve that objective,” Lemon mentioned.
In March, Lemon mentioned that Musk cancelled his partnership with X shortly after the interview with the billionaire entrepreneur.
Musk, who supported Donald Trump forward of his U.S. election victory this month, has mentioned he’s defending freedom of speech.
Trump on Tuesday named Musk to a job geared toward making a extra environment friendly authorities.
X and different platforms got here below the highlight in Britain this yr when far-right and racist violence broke out after on-line posts falsely claimed that an assault within the northern English city of Southport, the place three younger ladies have been killed, was the work of an Islamist migrant.
Reuters was first to report final month {that a} British police power had stop posting on X, with a number of extra reviewing their involvement.
In latest months, some British charities, well being and academic institutions have mentioned they are going to not publish to X.
Britain’s authorities continues to publish on X however doesn’t use it for paid communications. It does, nevertheless, promote on Meta’s Instagram and Fb (NASDAQ:), a authorities supply informed Reuters final month.
