Ambulance service leaves X over ‘hate speech’

An ambulance service has suspended its account on X amid what it calls a “sharp rise in hate speech and misinformation”.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), which had more than 20,000 followers, said the social media platform formerly known as Twitter was “not consistent with our values” and was failing to “police content”.

A spokesman said NEAS would continue to use other social media platforms and would “seek alternatives to X”.

The platform was founded in 2005 and bought in October 2022 by billionaire Elon Musk, who has previously said he opposed censorship and wanted it to be a home for freedom of speech.

The ambulance service, which covers the North East of England and its 2.7 million residents, had used X to share news, advice and guidance to its followers.

Mark Cotton, NEAS assistant director of communications and engagement, said: “We feel strongly that the failure to police content on X allows the perpetuation of unacceptable and offensive content, which has seen a sharp rise in hate speech and misinformation that is not consistent with our values.”

He said suspending the account was “important” as it showed the service’s “patients, staff and future workforce that NEAS is a safe, welcoming and rewarding organisation”.