Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Groen, the Flemish party led by Bart Dhondt, leaves X due to Elon Musk changes, opting for Bluesky for respectful dialogue amid rising misinformation.
The Flemish political party Groen has officially decided to stop using X, which was once called Twitter. Groen’s chairman, Bart Dhondt, said the party made this choice months ago because the platform no longer allowed for meaningful and respectful conversations. They believe the site has become toxic and that discussions have gotten worse since Elon Musk took over.
In an interview on Radio 1, Dhondt explained that X has become more divisive, making it difficult to have good political discussions. Musk’s changes to the platform have faced a lot of criticism from users and groups, which led Groen to reconsider its presence on the site.
Why is Groen leaving X for Bluesky amid concerns?
Groen has decided to leave X and move to Bluesky, a new social media platform. They believe Bluesky is a better place for thoughtful conversations. Groen wants to find spaces where debates can be respectful and engaging. By leaving X, they join many others who want to avoid platforms that promote hostility and division.
Zitten jullie hier nu nog?
— Groen (@groen) January 14, 2025
➡️ @groenbe.bsky.social#overandout pic.twitter.com/XHcbbWGmk7
Groen has decided to leave X after Ecolo called for a ban on the platform in Europe until it follows EU rules. Ecolo wants stricter content moderation and better action against false information. They believe X has not done enough to create a safe online space. While Groen does not support an outright ban, they agree with Ecolo’s concerns. Instead of asking for a ban, Groen has chosen to leave X and join Bluesky.
Groen has not yet decided if they will leave Facebook and Instagram. They are worried about changes under CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Last week, Zuckerberg said Meta will stop working with fact-checkers in the US. He wants to allow more freedom for opinions and political messages. This has raised concerns about misinformation, especially in politics. Groen is watching how Meta follows European laws before making any decision about being on those platforms.
“We still have to see how it goes with Meta and the European legislation,”
Says Dhondt.
“But with X, you had the additional aspect that Musk supports organizations that propagate xenophobia.”
According to Dhondt, Groen left X because of problems with Elon Musk’s ownership. He accused Musk of using X for his own political goals and supporting groups that spread hate. Dhondt also mentioned that Musk’s influence goes beyond the US and affects politics in Europe, especially in Germany, the UK, and France.
Groen believes this is a serious issue and wants stronger rules to stop technology leaders from using their platforms to promote division and interfere in politics. While Groen is concerned about Meta’s recent changes, their decision on those platforms will depend on how well they follow EU rules in the future.
Elon Musk’s impact on the platform and European politics
Since Elon Musk took over X (formerly Twitter) two years ago, many media outlets, organisations, and famous people have left the platform. This happened because of major changes in the rules and how content is managed. Under Musk, there has been more false information and hate speech and less control over what is posted.
Many users are unhappy with the platform, believing it prioritizes “absolute free speech” over safety. As a result, several media groups have left, citing the platform’s failure to address hate speech and misinformation. Celebrities and journalists have also departed, stating that the platform does not align with their values.
