The Barents Observer departs X
We will no longer post content on Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), as the social media platform has transformed into a machine of disinformation and propaganda.
For ethical reasons, the Barents Observer considers that we can no longer share our editorial content in a social media that gives priority to racism and far-right conspiracy theories.
Elon Musk has used X in a toxic way to influence the US presidential election campaign, promoting Germany’s far-right candidate, as well as attacking the U.K. government.
We decided to freeze our account from 20 January 2025, the inauguration day of Donald J. Trump as the president of the United States.
The Barents Observer takes this move together with many other European media outlets and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). Some have already left X, others do so today.
Our English and Russian accounts on X will be frozen, older posts will remain. You will still be able to share Barents Observer articles, and it might be that we will refer to others posts on X in our reporting.
The Barents Observer is committed to freedom of expression, fact-based independent journalism and humanist values. Since the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, the platform has become something we don’t want to be associated with.
We support Reporters Without Borders (RSF) who presses criminal charges against X for its participation in identity theft and spreading disinformation. We simply don't agree when Elon Musk says he is a champion of free speech and democracy. He is not. With the X platform, Musk shows unwillingness to fight disinformation.
It might be that we will lose some page-views, but everyone that have followed the Barents Observer over years know that we will never abandon basic principles of media freedom.
You are welcome to follow us on other social media, with Bluesky currently being the best alternative to X.
