The association denounces in a press release the “unprecedented level of toxicity” of the social network where “climate skeptic” discourse thrives.
The French branch of Greenpeace announced on Friday its departure from the social network “unprecedented level of toxicity” of the platform owned by Elon Musk where, according to the environmentalist NGO, speeches thrive “climate skeptics”. The approach of Greenpeace France, which announces “suspend activities on X” (formerly Twitter), is part of a wave of growing disaffection with this social network on the part of certain organizations, which has resulted in France by the departure of the daily newspapers Ouest-France and Sud Ouest.
“A growing impossibility of leading constructive debates”
“While no social network is perfect, X today reaches an unprecedented level of toxicity: absence of moderation, proliferation of hateful and climate-sceptical speech, algorithmic promotion of extremist content…”accused Jean-François Julliard, director general of Greenpeace France, in a press release. “In line with our values, we now refuse to feed a platform that promotes disinformation, climate skepticism and offers a privileged platform for ideologies contrary to the fight for climate and social justice”he continued. “We observe an increasing impossibility of leading constructive debates on crucial issues such as climate change, biodiversity or energy transition”he detailed, “this extreme and toxic polarization, dangerous for democracy, pushes us to immediately cease all activity on X”.
Greenpeace France indicates that it will continue to be present on other platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads), “while exploring alternatives like Bluesky »which is gaining more and more subscribers. Greeenpeace France adds that its account on “active only to prevent the risk of identity theft”. “This decision is part of a broader reflection” within Greenpeace, explains the press release, specifying that “several others” NGO offices “around the world are also considering leaving X soon depending on the existing alternatives in the different national contexts”.
Since its acquisition in 2022 by Elon Musk, X has been accused by many media and users of spreading false information and of not allocating enough resources to moderate exchanges on the platform. Fervent supporter of Donald Trump, the richest man in the world has been appointed head of a ministry of“governmental efficiency” by the new elected president of the United States and defends a radical vision of freedom of expression, rejecting all forms of censorship. In recent days, the British daily The Guardian, the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia and the Swedish Dagens Nyheter have already announced their departure from X.
France
