La Vanguardia, one of Spain’s oldest and most widely read newspapers, announced its decision to cease publishing on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. The Barcelona-based publication criticized X, previously known as Twitter, for transforming into a “disinformation network” under Musk’s leadership. In its statement, La Vanguardia expressed deep concerns regarding the platform’s failure to maintain effective moderation, allowing various forms of conspiracy theories and misleading content to proliferate unchecked. With a history dating back to 1881, La Vanguardia has a significant presence in Catalonia, boasting approximately 1.3 million followers on its main X account.
The newspaper accused Musk of cultivating an environment where harmful ideologies—ranging from ethnic hatred to misogyny—are allowed to flourish. The management stated that the prioritization of profit over user safety and the neglect of traditional moderation efforts have led to an increase in “toxic and disorienting content.” This shift has raised alarm bells regarding the dangers posed by the lack of oversight on such a widely used platform. Jordi Juan, the newspaper’s head, articulated that their withdrawal is a crucial stand against contributing to a platform that endorses and amplifies harmful behaviors and narratives.
In detailing the consequences of Musk’s management, Juan highlighted how the recent US election demonstrated the platform’s role in spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation. Such failures in moderation have turned X into a breeding ground for extremist views and far-right conspiracy theories, he noted. Although La Vanguardia is pulling its content from X, the newspaper plans to continue monitoring the platform for information-gathering purposes, allowing its journalism team to remain active in the space without promoting it directly.
La Vanguardia’s exit from X was notably timed with a similar announcement from the UK’s The Guardian, which also condemned the platform as a “toxic” environment laden with racism and far-right conspiracy theories. The publication’s decision coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement concerning Musk’s new role in leading a Department of Government Efficiency, raising apprehensions about how this new position might further impact the integrity of X. Juan indicated that concerns regarding Musk’s management were substantial and pivotal in their decision-making process.
Since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, Musk has been under scrutiny for his approach to running the platform, particularly after implementing changes that rolled back previous censorship policies. Critics, including La Vanguardia, argue that his leadership style has resulted in chaos, neglecting vital moderation safeguards. Despite Musk’s denials of mismanagement, the continuous emergence of disinformation and hateful content appears to support the critics’ claims regarding the platform’s direction under his ownership.
As social media platforms increasingly shape public discourse, the withdrawal of significant outlets like La Vanguardia and The Guardian highlights the challenges posed by misinformation ecosystems. Their decision reflects broader concerns about the ethical responsibilities of social media platforms, particularly in light of their influence on societal narratives. The ongoing evolution of X under Musk’s leadership is likely to remain a focal point of discussion among media organizations, policymakers, and the public as they navigate a digital landscape rife with challenges related to truth and accountability.
