In a bold move that marks a significant shift in digital communication strategies, a department of the Victorian government has officially announced its departure from X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter and now owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
This departure signals a growing trend among organizations reevaluating their presence on platforms that may not align with their values or objectives, especially in fostering safe and productive community engagement.
Victorian Government: The Departure Announcement
The Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), responsible for critical areas including child protection, family violence, housing, and LGBTIQA+ equality, made its stance clear with a final post on X. The post conveyed a message of overdue separation, humorously noting, “Hey @X … It’s not you … but it IS you.”
This departure comes amid concerns that the platform’s current direction under Musk’s ownership no longer serves the department’s goal of creating a more inclusive Victoria.
The Shift to Alternative Platforms
In pursuit of platforms that offer a safer and more productive environment for dialogue with the community, the DFFH emphasized its plan to invest in conversations on platforms better suited to reaching its audience effectively.
The list of preferred platforms includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, indicating a strategic pivot towards more controlled and possibly more engaging online environments.
Another Victorian governmental body, the Department of Jobs Skills, Industry and Regions, has also taken steps to minimize its presence on X, locking its account with plans to close it soon.
This move reflects a broader assessment among state government departments about the viability of maintaining their communication channels on X, especially when audience engagement is dwindling.
The Broader Context
The departure of the DFFH from X is part of a larger narrative of organizations and users reassessing their participation on the platform following Musk’s acquisition. Musk’s overhaul of X, characterized by relaxed content moderation policies and the reinstatement of accounts previously banned for hateful content, has sparked a mass exodus.
Reports from app-monitoring company Sensor Tower suggest a 15% drop in global users since November 2022, shortly after Musk’s takeover.
Victorian government department quits Elon Musk’s X, saying it’s no longer safe or productive https://t.co/Bnm0oq3p6N
— Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) March 28, 2024
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and JOY, Australia’s first and only LGBTQI+ community radio station, are among those who have previously distanced themselves from X, citing toxic interactions and a hostile atmosphere towards their communities.
The Victorian government department’s decision to quit X reflects a broader concern over the safety and productivity of social media platforms for community engagement.
As organizations and individuals worldwide continue to navigate the complexities of online communication, the move underscores the importance of aligning platform choices with core values and the needs of the communities they serve.
