EMA Takes Break From X, Joins Bluesky
The government agency says X no longer suits its communication needs.
On Friday, January 24, 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced it was taking a break from X (formerly known as Twitter) in a post pinned to the top of its profile on the platform. The statement reads, “We have moved...We have decided to take a break from X, but we want to keep talking about medicines and public & animal health with all of our followers.” The post included a link to the agency’s Bluesky account,1 a social media platform created by Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey.
Replies to the post varied, with some commending the agency for ditching the platform with “way too many trolls,”2 while others referred to the decision as “unconscionable”3 and a “bad move.”4 Other commenters questioned who was behind the decision and why EMA wouldn’t want to reach as many people it can, no matter the platform. EMA’s X account has over 115,700 followers. Since posting about the change in social media platforms, the agency's Bluesky account has surpassed 4,000 followers.
“We believe the X platform no longer suits our communication needs,” the agency said. “After careful consideration, the Agency has decided to open an account on Bluesky.” While EMA has already stopped posting on the platform, the agency said it will not be deleting its @EMA_news account to “avoid any attempt of impersonation and to be able to continue listening to conversations pertaining to public and animal health topics.”5
In its first Bluesky post (@ema-eu.bsky.social) EMA used it as an opportunity to re-introduce the agency’s goals and what it does for public and animal health with a short video.6 Responses were full of warm welcomes to the platform, with some commentors writing that they were hopeful other agencies would be making the same switch in the near future.
Elon Musk purchased Twitter in 2022 and made significant changes to the platform. This included reinstating banned accounts, which resulted in controversial media figures regaining access to the platform. When Bluesky launched in 2023, people were eager to join the platform since it provided the user more control of their feeds.
Musk is a controversial figure, and his actions since purchasing Twitter are often cited for driving users away from the site. Aside from its owners, user complaints about X include the spread of misinformation, a toxic/offensive content, and concerns for privacy and safety.
In its latest Bluesky post, the EMA celebrates its 30th year of operation. In a press release to mark the occasion, Emer Cooke, EMA’s executive director, said, “The original ambition was to centralize the evaluation of innovative medicines, so that, in the words of the French presidency at the time, ‘all patients in the EU could benefit as quickly as possible from the very best treatments. We applied the same principles to veterinary medicines and through the years we have steadfastly promoted the best of science to support public and animal health across the Member States. Thousands of scientists from across Europe have contributed to this 30-year milestone and it is their hard work and dedication that we celebrate and honor [today].”7
Sources
EU Medicines Agency [@EMA_News]. “We have moved...We have decided to take a break from X, but we want to keep talking about medicines and public & animal health with all of our followers. Find us on Bluesky ➡️http://EMA-EU.bsky.social” https://x.com/EMA_News/status/1882754737923293436
Dr_stev_ [@dr_stev_] “Well done, way too many trolls on this platform. Unfortunately this is no place to talk about serious things anymore.” https://x.com/dr_stev_/status/1883605430099939498
Nicolaj Ottsen [@nottsen] “Unconscionable. Don't abuse your position to do activism. Be on all platforms, your job is to reach the people financing you, where ever they are.” https://x.com/nottsen/status/1882769650775466463
Bella [@stockbella] “Bad move.” https://x.com/stockbella/status/1882874105160192273
Comments About Move to Bluesky. European Medicines Agency. January 24, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2025
European Medicines Agency [@ema-eu.bsky.social]. “Hey, nice to meet you! We’re the European Medicines Agency or simply EMA, and we make sure medicines in Europe are safe and effective. We talk about new medicines in the EU, latest health advancements, public and animal health news and much more. Follow us #health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJl-NPMy8oQ” https://bsky.app/profile/ema-eu.bsky.social/post/3lgicnnsef22l
EMA celebrates 30 years of progress in science and medicines in the European Union. European Medicines Agency. January 27, 202. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-celebrates-30-years-progress-science-medicines-european-union
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