The Guardian withdraws official presence from Elon Musk’s X

The Guardian has announced today that it will cease posting on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), from its official accounts. This decision comes as the organization acknowledges that the platform's content has become increasingly at odds with its editorial values, particularly with the prominence of disturbing material and content concerns during the recent US presidential election campaign.
The Guardian, which has over 80 official accounts on X, reaching approximately 27 million followers, expressed its concerns about the content commonly found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and instances of racism. “After careful consideration, we have decided that the advantages of maintaining an official presence on X are outweighed by the platform’s negative aspects. Our longstanding concerns were reinforced by recent election coverage,” a Guardian spokesperson stated.
This decision follows criticism of X's content standards from various anti-hate speech organizations and the European Union, highlighting the platform’s shift since Musk’s acquisition in 2022. Known for his “free speech absolutist” stance, Musk has reinstated previously banned accounts, including controversial figures such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, influencer Andrew Tate, and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The Guardian clarified that readers on X could still share its articles, and certain posts from X may occasionally be integrated into its live news reporting. While the organization’s official accounts will no longer actively post on the platform, Guardian reporters can continue to use X for newsgathering purposes in line with the company’s social media guidelines.
“Social media remains a valuable tool for news distribution, but at this juncture, we find X’s role in promoting our work to be diminished,” the spokesperson added. “Our journalism is available to all on our website, and we encourage readers to visit theguardian.com for direct access to our content.”
Musk responded to the announcement by posting on X, labeling The Guardian as “irrelevant” and a “laboriously vile propaganda machine.”
The Guardian’s decision aligns with recent moves by other notable organizations, including National Public Radio (NPR), PBS, the Berlin Film Festival, and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, all of which have chosen to distance themselves from the platform in light of increasing concerns around hate speech and divisive content.