The Guardian Ceases Posting on X, Citing Toxicity and Disturbing Content

The British newspaper The Guardian announced on Wednesday that it will cease posting its content under its official account on the social media platform X, a move that has been under consideration for some time. The decision comes in response to the disturbing content often found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism, as well as the use of the platform by its owner, Elon Musk, to shape political discourse.

Concerns over X's Content and Its Impact

The Guardian's media outlet expressed its concerns, stating that the disturbing content found on X, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism, had led to its decision to withdraw from the platform. Additionally, the U.S. presidential election campaign further underscored the newspaper's view that the social media platform is "toxic." The Guardian also referenced the involvement of Elon Musk, the owner of the platform, in shaping political discourse as a key factor in its decision.

Impact of The Guardian's Decision

As a result of The Guardian's decision, its account profile on X now describes itself as an archived page and redirects readers to its website and app. This shift is part of the newspaper's effort to distance itself from X and its controversial practices. However, despite withdrawing from posting content, X users can still share The Guardian's articles on the platform, and the newspapers' journalists will continue to use it for news-gathering purposes, as they do with other social networks.

The Guardian's Transparency and Business Model

The Guardian emphasized that its business model does not rely on viral content tailored to the whims of social media giants' algorithms. Instead, it is funded directly by its readers, allowing it to maintain its journalistic integrity without being influenced by the platform's practices. This transparency reflects The Guardian's commitment to its readership and its independence from external pressures.

The Challenger of Content and Advertisers' Response

The Guardian's decision to withdraw from X comes amid a series of controversies and difficulties faced by the platform. The social media platform has experienced an exodus of advertisers, with major companies such as Apple, Coca-Cola, and Disney removing paid ads from X. Furthermore, the World Bank suspended all paid ads on the platform in early September 2023 after a CBS News investigation highlighted the presence of its advertisements under racist posts. As a result, a survey conducted by Kantar found that a quarter of advertisers plan to reduce their spending on X in 2025.