Twitter Backtracks on Labeling NPR as “State-Affiliated Media” after Uproar
(MENAFN) Twitter recently faced an uproar after it labeled National Public Radio (NPR), a Washington-based US radio network, as “state-affiliated media.” As a result, Twitter changed the label to “government-funded.” The same label was applied to the BBC, a beloved national broadcaster in Britain that is predominantly funded by households paying a license fee. Following the change in how Twitter referred to NPR, the radio network reached out to the social media company for clarification.
The change in label from “state-affiliated media” to “government-funded” for NPR happened quietly overnight on Saturday after NPR complained that the original label was inaccurate and disparaging. Twitter had previously labeled NPR in the same way as government-owned Chinese and Russian platforms. NPR responded to the label change by stopping all tweets from its main account, which has over 8.8 million followers, and invited users to “find us every other place where you read the news.”
John Lansing, the CEO of NPR, expressed that Twitter's decision was “unacceptable,” and the radio network’s account has remained silent ever since. However, other accounts run by NPR, such as its music and politics handles, did not receive the “state-affiliated” label and have continued to post tweets.
Elon Musk’s move against NPR came just days after Twitter stripped The New York Times of its verified status on the platform, which, like NPR, is often accused of having a left-leaning bias, particularly by US conservatives. According to Twitter policy, the decisions will deamplify tweets from both companies, limiting their reach on a platform that remains a major communication tool for media outlets, celebrities, and officials.
The change in label from “state-affiliated media” to “government-funded” for NPR happened quietly overnight on Saturday after NPR complained that the original label was inaccurate and disparaging. Twitter had previously labeled NPR in the same way as government-owned Chinese and Russian platforms. NPR responded to the label change by stopping all tweets from its main account, which has over 8.8 million followers, and invited users to “find us every other place where you read the news.”
John Lansing, the CEO of NPR, expressed that Twitter's decision was “unacceptable,” and the radio network’s account has remained silent ever since. However, other accounts run by NPR, such as its music and politics handles, did not receive the “state-affiliated” label and have continued to post tweets.
Elon Musk’s move against NPR came just days after Twitter stripped The New York Times of its verified status on the platform, which, like NPR, is often accused of having a left-leaning bias, particularly by US conservatives. According to Twitter policy, the decisions will deamplify 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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