Guardian quits X social media platform

14/11/2024 5:49

        British news publisher the Guardian
        said on Wednesday it will no longer post to X, citing
        "disturbing content" on the social media platform, including
        racism and conspiracy theories.
        
        The left-leaning Guardian, which has 10.7 million followers
        on X, becomes the first large UK media company to retreat from
        the platform that Elon Musk purchased in 2022.
        
        Critics say Musk's hands-off approach has allowed lies and
        hate speech to spread on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
        
        "We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed
        by the negatives and that resources could be better used
        promoting our journalism elsewhere," the Guardian said in an
        editorial published on its website.
        
        "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."
        
        In response, Musk posted on X and said of the Guardian:
        "They are irrelevant."
        
        Separately, former CNN anchor Don Lemon is also leaving
        Musk-owned social media platform, he announced in a post on X on
        Wednesday.
        
        "I once believed it was a place for honest debate and
        discussion, transparency, and free speech, but I now feel it
        does not serve that purpose," Lemon said.
        
        In March, Lemon said that Musk cancelled his partnership
        with X shortly after the interview with the billionaire
        entrepreneur.
        
        Musk, who supported Donald Trump ahead of his U.S. election
        victory this month, has said he is defending freedom of speech.
        
        Trump on Tuesday named Musk to a role aimed at creating a
        more efficient government.
        
        X and other platforms came under the spotlight in Britain
        this year when far-right and racist violence broke out after
        online posts falsely claimed that an attack in the northern
        English town of Southport, where three young girls were killed,
        was the work of an Islamist migrant.
        
        Reuters was first to report last month that a British police
        force had quit posting on X, with several more reviewing their
        involvement.
        
        In recent months, some British charities, health and
        educational establishments have said they will no longer post to
        X.
        
        Britain's government continues to post on X but does not use
        it for paid communications. It does, however, advertise on
        Meta's Instagram and Facebook, a government source told Reuters
        last month.