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In a notable exit from X, formerly Twitter, The Guardian announced its departure from the platform, citing concerns over content and resource allocation. The British publication declared that the platform’s drawbacks now outweigh its benefits, prompting a shift in their promotional strategy.

However, the outlet’s explanation didn’t stop at practical considerations. The Guardian expressed deep concerns about the platform’s content, specifically mentioning far-right conspiracy theories and racism. They particularly emphasized their disapproval of the platform during the U.S. presidential election campaign, criticizing platform owner Elon Musk’s influence on political discourse.

“We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter),” the outlet stated. “We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.”

Despite their strong stance against the platform’s perceived toxicity, The Guardian’s departure appears somewhat inconsistent. The publication plans to maintain its account while allowing its reporters to continue using X for news gathering purposes, raising questions about the sincerity of their concerns.

The outlet’s decision follows their controversial history, including publishing questionable content such as a headline questioning the criminality of viewing illicit content involving minors. Their current fundraising efforts also showcase political bias with headlines targeting potential future political scenarios.

This move comes amid broader tensions between British authorities and Musk, including threats of arrest over free speech issues. The Guardian’s partial withdrawal from X while maintaining certain connections to the platform suggests a complex relationship with social media presence and content moderation concerns.