- National Public Radio or NPR becomes the first major news organization user to quit Twitter, alleging the Elon Musk-owned platform of taking actions that undermine its credibility and questioning its editorial integrity.
- NPR promised to keep in touch with its audiences via other modes without further elaboration.
- This week Twitter reversed its decision to label the NPR account as "state-affiliated media" and instead designated it as "government-funded media" after facing flak.
- NPR CEO John Lansing previously called Twitter labeling the organization as state-affiliated "unacceptable."
- Along with NPR, Twitter has designated the government-funded label to other news outlets like PBS, Voice of America, and BBC.
- Last week Twitter placed a label on NPR's Twitter handle designating it as "state-affiliated media," a term typically used for foreign media organizations representing their respective governments' official views.
- Several Twitter users highlighted that Twitter had previously stated that news organizations such as NPR did not fall under the "state-affiliated media" bracket because they maintain editorial independence, despite receiving funding from the government.
- The NPR criticized Musk for "applying the same label to the nonprofit media company that Twitter uses to designate official state mouthpieces and propaganda outlets in countries such as Russia and China."
- Musk decided to "fix" the label after an exchange with an NPR journalist who informed him about the extent of federal support the organization receives — only 1% of its annual budget.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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