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In a significant shift for global media dynamics, several prominent news organizations have ceased posting content on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, in response to rising concerns over disinformation and a hostile online environment. This development points to a growing unease within the industry over the platform's direction under the stewardship of Elon Musk and the political landscape following Donald Trump's election victory.
Sweden's respected Dagens Nyheter followed the lead of Britain’s The Guardian and Spain’s La Vanguardia this week, with the latter expressing a preference for losing subscribers over compromising values by participating in a disinformation network. The Guardians' nearly 11 million followers illustrate the significant platform these media once had on X, but recent disturbing content, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism, has forced them to reevaluate their presence.
The move marks a stark departure from the initial optimism media outlets had towards Twitter in the late 2000s, where they sought to expand their audiences and cultivate brand visibility. Media experts like Butler University's Stephen Barnard suggest that the exodus could continue depending on future actions by X, Musk, and the Trump administration.
However, some analysts, like Mathew Ingram, point out that media dependence on platforms like X for reader interaction may have contributed to the current predicament, as they outsourced engagement to social media. The full impact of their withdrawal remains to be seen, but smaller readership numbers are anticipated.
Platforms like Bluesky are gaining traction as alternatives, although they pale compared to X's user base. Reporters Without Borders' Vincent Berthier sees the pullout as indicative of a broader failure to regulate social media effectively.