European Federation of Journalists, Representing 295,000 Members, Leaves X Over Trump-Musk Alliance

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Europe’s largest organization representing journalists, has announced that it will cease posting on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, starting January 20, 2025. The decision comes as Donald J. Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, a development the EFJ views as a significant threat to democracy and media freedom.

The EFJ, alongside other major European media outlets and journalist organizations, has voiced strong criticism of X under Musk’s ownership, citing its transformation into what they describe as a platform for disinformation and propaganda.

“Elon Musk’s X has become the preferred vector for conspiracy theories, racism, far-right ideas, and misogynistic rhetoric,” said EFJ President Maja Sever. “We cannot continue to participate in feeding the social network of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists.”

Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, has openly criticized traditional media, declaring it “dead” following Trump’s election victory. His alignment with Trump has further fueled concerns within the EFJ and other journalistic organizations. Musk has been tapped to head Trump’s newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), solidifying what the EFJ sees as a dangerous partnership.

The EFJ, which represents over 295,000 journalists across 44 countries, views X’s editorial shift as incompatible with its commitment to press freedom, media pluralism, and the fight against hate speech.

“The editorial evolution of X contradicts our humanist values and commitment to press freedom,” said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez. “The decision to suspend our @EFJEUROPE account seemed obvious to us, and we invite our affiliates and all organizations defending freedom of expression to migrate to other platforms.”

The EFJ’s decision reflects a growing trend among media outlets and organizations abandoning X in response to its controversial policies and content moderation practices. Among the notable names already critical of the platform are The Guardian, Dagens Nyheter, Ouest-France, and the German Journalists’ Association (DJV).

As the only European trade union federation of journalists, the EFJ is a leading voice for press freedom. It unites 73 unions and associations across 44 countries, representing a wide spectrum of journalists fighting for media integrity and ethical journalism.

The EFJ’s move away from X signals a pivotal moment in the global media landscape, raising important questions about the role of social media platforms in shaping public discourse and the responsibilities of those who own them.