'Was it something I said?': 'Irish Examiner' columnist Séamas O’Reilly sees X account suspended

Séamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

Irish Examiner columnist and author Séamas O’Reilly has been banned from social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, but claims he does not know why.

The popular commentator said that he suspects the ban is linked with his column which he said made “reference to the fact that Twitter/X may be considered complicit in the deluge of bots and scams on their platform given that it materially benefits from their activities".

His almost 100,000 followers have been unable to read his tweets since the weekend.

“My account is still suspended, with no explanation as to what caused it in the first place,” he said.

“For the avoidance of all doubt, I do not consider the loss of my account an important and sobering global news event. 

Personally, I’m quite annoyed. Professionally, I’m alarmed.” 

He has successfully used the account for 14 years, having first come to public attention with a story thread on an unusual meeting with then-president Mary McAleese.

He said the suspension came within hours of his latest column going on the platform.

Séamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

“Was it something I said? The notification claimed I’d been suspended for 'violating our rules against platform manipulation and spam',” he said.

“I’d shared a promotion for The Fence, a satirical magazine that I co-edit in London. I’d posted a prank letter I’d sent to the FAI 16 years ago, putting myself forward for the Irish manager’s job." 

He added that shortly before that, he had shared his column, saying this "coincidentally — concerned online spam and platform manipulation".

Mr O’Reilly has made efforts to contact Twitter, using a link provided in the notification.

“I have heard nothing back and nor, at time of writing, have any of the news organisations currently asking whether an Irish-headquartered tech behemoth has really suspended an Irish journalist for critiquing their operation in an Irish newspaper,” he said.

The Irish Examiner contacted Twitter’s media office, but received only an automated email advising: “Busy now, please check back later."