The Guardian leaves X
The Guardian says it will no longer post content on X, saying the platform is ‘toxic’ and that Musk has used its influence to shape political discourse. The newspaper has more than 80 accounts on X with approximately 27 million followers.
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). 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.
This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.
X users will still be able to share our articles, and the nature of live news reporting means we will still occasionally embed content from X within our article pages.
Our reporters will also be able to carry on using the site for news-gathering purposes, just as they use other social networks in which we do not officially engage.
Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work. Our journalism is available and open to all on our website and we would prefer people to come to theguardian.com and support our work there.
AreTheScotsIndependentYet.com
A Guardian-operated website at AreTheScotsIndependentYet.com promises to keep readers updated on the result. The site currently includes an animated map and text:
No
Guardian poll: ‘No’ 51%-49%
A survey by ICM for The Guardian finds that 51% plan to vote No on independence and 49% plan to vote Yes. The figures exclude voters who say they are undecided, 17% of the total. Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins says the support for Yes is the highest recorded by ICM:
This will spur on everybody who wants and is working hard for a Yes to redouble their efforts.
Better Together campaign director Blair MacDougall:
This is the third poll in a row to show the No campaign in the lead, but this fight for the future of Scotland will go right down to the wire.