The Guardian has announced it will no longer post on its official editorial accounts on X, formerly Twitter, citing the platform's toxic environment and the influence of its owner, Elon Musk. The decision comes after a period of consideration, with the US presidential election campaign highlighting concerns over far-right conspiracy theories and racism promoted on the site.
While the Guardian will cease active posting, X users can still share its articles, and journalists may embed content from X in news reports. Reporters will continue using the platform for news-gathering, similar to other social networks where the Guardian does not officially engage.
The move reflects a shift in strategy, as the Guardian finds X's role in promoting its work diminished. The organisation emphasises its business model, funded directly by readers, allows it to avoid reliance on viral content tailored to social media algorithms. It encourages audiences to access journalism directly via its website.
This decision underscores ongoing debates about social media's impact on journalism and public discourse, as news organisations reassess their presence on platforms with controversial ownership and content moderation policies.
