Barcelona becomes the first major Spanish city to leave X

by Lorraine Williamson
Barcelona leaves X platform

Barcelona has become the first major Spanish city to withdraw from the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The decision reflects growing concerns about disinformation, political polarisation, and hate speech since the platform was acquired by Elon Musk.

Starting January 31, the city of Barcelona will limit its use of X to emergency notifications only.

Breaking away from disinformation

Barcelona’s city government announced that it could no longer justify actively participating in a platform it considers a “source of hate, intolerance, and disinformation.” In a public statement, officials emphasised the importance of providing truthful, reliable information to residents. The city declared that contributing to a channel that fails to uphold these values is unacceptable.

Changes to municipal accounts

From January 31, all municipal accounts on X will be deactivated, except for one: @bcn_ajuntament, which will serve solely to issue emergency alerts. This account will provide updates during extreme weather events, significant mobility disruptions, and other urgent situations.

Part of a growing trend

Barcelona’s move aligns with a broader trend of organisations and institutions stepping away from X. Several prominent groups, including Greenpeace, Ecologistas en Acción, and Amigos de la Tierra, have already left the platform.

This movement gained momentum following Elon Musk’s increasing use of X for political purposes and the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States. Critics argue that Musk’s approach has contributed to a rise in disinformation and further polarisation on the platform.

Barcelona’s alternative social media strategy

Despite withdrawing from X, Barcelona remains active on other platforms. The city has maintained a presence on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Telegram, and YouTube, where it engages directly with residents. Since 2009, Barcelona’s official Twitter account, @barcelona_cat, has been a key communication tool, but the city now prioritises platforms it views as more reliable and aligned with its values.

Mayor Collboni speaks out

Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, has also closed his personal X account. He criticised the platform for becoming dominated by “hate and lies” and pointed to Elon Musk’s leadership as a factor in poisoning public discourse. Collboni emphasszed the need for social networks to support healthy, democratic debate.

A stand against disinformation

By leaving X, Barcelona takes a stand against the growing concerns surrounding social media’s impact on democracy and the spread of false information. While the city withdraws from one platform, it remains committed to engaging with its citizens through alternative channels that prioritise transparency, truth, and constructive communication.

Barcelona’s decision highlights a broader reckoning with the role of social media in public life and could inspire other cities to reevaluate their own digital strategies.

Also read: Spain urges social media neutrality amidst Musk controversy

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