The Guardian and La Vanguardia, two of the most influential media outlets internationally, have announced their withdrawal from the social network X, previously known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk.
This decision comes amid growing concerns over the direction Musk has steered the platform since his 2022 acquisition, which, according to both outlets, has evolved into a space dominated by polarizing discourse, conspiracy theories, and misinformation.
Why did The Guardian decide to leave X?
The Guardian, one of the most influential British newspapers, was the first to abandon X.
The prestigious newspaper announced this week the closure of its official accounts on X. With nearly 80 profiles on the platform and an audience of almost 27 million followers, the media outlet argued that the social network has become a “toxic” space where hate speech, conspiracy theories, and far-right misinformation proliferate.
The Guardian’s decision comes after the U.S. presidential elections, where Musk’s use of X has stirred controversy.
The magnate and CEO of Tesla openly supported Donald Trump’s candidacy, using the platform to influence political debate. According to the newspaper itself, the alarming and polarizing content on X was one of the reasons behind its decision to leave the network.
ALSO READ: What is DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency that Donald Trump created for Elon Musk
Elon Musk and X: A Complicated Relationship
Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 in a $44 billion transaction, renaming it X and relaxing its moderation policies.
Since then, previously banned figures, including Donald Trump and other controversial individuals, have been reinstated. This new direction has raised concerns about the platform’s role in promoting hate speech and manipulating public opinion.
For many, Musk’s acquisition represents a push for “limitless freedom of expression.” However, critics argue that this stance allows for the dissemination of dangerous and polarizing content, complicating the media’s efforts to provide reliable and balanced information.
Musk himself once stated: “Vox Populi, Vox Dei” (the voice of the people is the voice of God), justifying Trump’s return to X as a democratic decision.
Goodbye X: Major Media Outlets Say Farewell
The exit of these media outlets from X represents a blow to the platform, which loses two major sources of high-quality news content.
Although both outlets have stated that their journalists may continue to use the social network personally, institutional activity will be limited.
The Guardian and La Vanguardia are not the first to take this step. In the United States, public radio NPR and public television PBS also chose to suspend their accounts on X last year.
