A ‘breakthrough development’ British news publisher, The Guardian, stated on Monday that it was suspending its presence on the social media platform known formerly as Twitter due to increasing concerns over harmful content. The Guardian noted on Wednesday that it would be the first major UK news publisher to pull out of X since billionaire Elon Musk bought the platform in 2022. According to the newspaper, several reasons indicated it opted to leave the social media platform. These include concerns over hate speech, racism, and far-right conspiracy theories.

The Guardian Cites Increased Concerns on X

It cited an editorial section’s concern about X’s “increasingly toxic” atmosphere as one reason. “We believe the negatives now outweigh the reasons to be on X, and resources could more productively be used promoting our journalism elsewhere,” the editorial said. The Guardian noted that the platform is one where far-right rhetoric and conspiracy theories thrive, making the atmosphere “often disturbing.”

In this regard, of the 10.7 million followers on X, there can be said to be a more significant trend of dissatisfaction that characterises the path that Musk’s ownership has taken on this platform.

Avoiding X is a big move for this left-of-centre newspaper. It mirrors a wave that seems to define organisations and their interest in whether or not they will remain within the platform because of anxieties related to content moderation.

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Elon Musk’s Response to Criticism

A few months after Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the billionaire fought back quickly. “In a tweet on X, Musk said the fears of The Guardian were ‘irrelevant’ experts said and that Musk’s management style at X has been targeting free speech, a principle some critics said emboldened hate speech, offensive material, and misinformation.”.

To support his policies, Musk argues that his position on free speech does not stifle lively debates and oppositional voices. Instead, this failure to regulate has resulted in an unmoored cyberspace, and it is the most dangerous to minorities.

Other Suites are Walking Out Suits: Don Lemon Quits X

The Guardian is not alone in having decided to quit X. On the same Day, it was reported that veteran CNN news anchor Don Lemon announced his network had quit. Lemon was disappointed that things turned out the way they did in X, “where I once believed was a place for honest debate and discussion, transparency and free speech, but I don’t feel it serves that purpose.” He had resigned earlier this year after falling out with Musk over a deal that collapsed just days after a scathing interview with the tech mogul.

UK Authorities and Charities Rethink X Presence

The Guardian and others like Don Lemon have taken a stand, but it is also part of how more UK officials are turning. This month, a police force in Britain decided to end posting on X, saying they were doing it because of toxic content and misinformation. Other police departments are reviewing their stance on the platform. Several British charities, healthcare providers, and educational establishments stopped using X for longer than in recent months and selected other ways to engage with the public. Social Media in the Dock on Threat of Misinformation

Social media companies, such as X, have faced increasing pressure in the UK as reports of far-right and racist violence linked to misinformation online continue to grow. In one case reported, three young girls were killed in an attack on Southport, which sparked massive community disorder. Britain’s government continues posting on X but has dramatically reduced its paid communications there, advertising instead through Meta’s other services, Instagram and Facebook.

The more these organisations are pressured to review their presence on X, the more there will be a contest for content moderation and free speech. In that sense, *The Guardian*’s move could be a landmark change in how media houses navigate the challenges of a safe and responsible online world.