US news broadcaster National Public Radio (NPR) has announced its departure from Twitter, citing concerns over the platform’s impact on its credibility and editorial independence.
The move comes after Twitter labeled NPR “state-affiliated media,” a designation also applied to government-owned Chinese and Russian platforms.
NPR had already suspended tweets from its main account in response to the label. In protest, NPR has stopped tweeting altogether, directing users to find its content elsewhere. Other accounts run by NPR continue to post tweets, however.
NPR’s CEO, John Lansing, has criticized the decision by Twitter to label NPR. In a statement, Lansing called the decision “unacceptable” and accused Twitter of undermining NPR’s credibility and sowing doubt over its editorial independence.
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The move against NPR came shortly after Twitter stripped The New York Times of its verified status, which also faces accusations of left-leaning bias. According to Twitter policy, the decisions will DE amplify tweets from both companies, limiting their reach on a platform that remains a major communication tool for media outlets, celebrities, and officials.
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— NPR (@NPR) April 12, 2023
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, has expressed his disdain for the news media and has made several controversial decisions in recent weeks. Musk’s move against NPR came just days after Twitter labeled the broadcaster “state-affiliated media.” The label was also applied to the BBC, funded by British taxpayers via license fees.
In a live interview with the BBC, Musk acknowledged making mistakes and pledged to change the designation on the BBC’s Twitter handle from “government-funded” to “publicly funded.” Britain’s national broadcaster is funded by an annual license fee set by the government but paid by individual households.
The decision by Twitter to label news organizations as “state-affiliated media” has raised concerns over the platform’s impact on the news media’s credibility and independence. The move has also called for greater transparency and accountability from social media companies.
