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United for diversity, freedom and science
Universities and research institutions leave Platform X

Over 60 German-speaking universities and research institutions have decided to take a stand and collectively announce their decision to cease activities on Platform X (formerly Twitter). This withdrawal comes in response to the platform's current direction, which is incompatible with the core values of the participating institutions: openness to the world, scientific integrity, transparency, and democratic discourse.

A person with a doctoral hat is throwing the letter X in a bin. Besides the bin lies a dead blue bird. Above the scene flies a blue butterfly. Zoom

HHU has left X and initiated the #eXit of more than 60 other research institution (Illustration: HHU/Paul Schwaderer)

Over 60 German-speaking universities and research institutions have decided to take a stand and collectively announce their decision to cease activities on Platform X (formerly Twitter). This withdrawal comes in response to the platform's current direction, which is incompatible with the core values of the participating institutions: openness to the world, scientific integrity, transparency, and democratic discourse.

The initiative for this action came from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU). ‘The developments on X show that the platform no longer fulfils its responsibility to promote a fair discourse. As academic institutions, we cannot accept this,’ explains Prof Dr Anja Steinbeck, Rector of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

The changes on Platform X – from algorithmic amplification of right-wing populist content to the restriction of organic reach – make its continued use unjustifiable for the organisations involved. By leaving, these institutions reaffirm their commitment to fact-based communication and opposition to anti-democratic forces. The values that promote diversity, freedom and science are no longer upheld on the platform. 

Several institutions that had already ceased their activities on the platform are also supporting this joint appeal and thus reaffirm the importance of an open and constructive culture of discussion. This decision only affects the X accounts of the participating institutions and not their communication via other social media channels. In light of recent events, they will continue to closely monitor the development of the platforms and their algorithms.

Autor/in: Achim Zolke
Kategorie/n: Schlagzeilen, Pressemeldungen, Auch in Englisch