Goethe University withdraws from X: Stop for disinformation!

Goethe University withdraws from X: Stop for disinformation!

The Goethe University and over 60 other German-speaking universities and research institutions have decided to stop their activities on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The exit from these platforms follows the developments at X, which are considered to be a hindrance to fact -based communication.

In a message, it was emphasized that scientific institutions need an environment for discourses that is not only fact -oriented, but also transparent and democratic. Since the takeover of X by Elon Musk, both the range and the interaction rate have dropped. It is criticized that the algorithm of X prefers content that corresponds to the world's worldview, which leads to the disadvantage of democratic voices. The platform has increasingly changed from a place for constructive exchange to a tool for disinformation.

recommendations and other platforms

The Goethe University recommends its specialist areas and scientists urgently to examine the meaningfulness of the use of an X-account. To adapt the communication strategies, the University looks at alternative platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and the tried and tested social networks Bluesky, Mastodon or Threads.

The universities involved have put their X-accounts into a "frozen" state to avoid abuse. A complete list of universities and organizations that are involved in this withdrawal was published and includes:

• Alanus University of Art and Society
• Bauhaus University Weimar
• Berlin University of Technology
• Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus - Senftenberg
• Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• German Sport University Cologne
• European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
• and many more.

In addition, a contribution by Academia.edu With the changes in the external science communication through social media. The analysis emphasizes that numerous new actors have arisen who are able to achieve mass media effects. These changes have an impact on editorial strategies and organizational structures in science communication.

The article also discusses the presence of actors with anti -enlightenment agenda and the influence of skepticism skeptic in social networks. Emotional discussions about scientific topics and the mobilization and radicalization of communities on social media are considered key issues that can lead to polarization phenomena.

-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien