Twitter labels NPR's account as 'state-affiliated media', which is untrue
NPR Online NewsDec 24, 2022
NPR Criticizes Twitter for 'State-Affiliated Media' Label
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Image copyright: Twitter/NPR [via Los Angels Times/Yahoo]
The Facts
On Tuesday, Twitter applied a "US state-affiliated media" label to the account of National Public Radio (NPR), a description usually designated for accounts like Russian government-funded Russia Today and China's Xinhua News Agency, the official PRC state news agency.
CEO Elon Musk then tweeted how the company defines state-affiliated, which are "outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution," while adding, "Seems accurate."
The Spin
Narrative A
While a step in the right direction, Twitter's "state-affiliated media" label has not been applied enough. The label has been pinned to outlets like RT and China Daily while left off of known CIA-created US propaganda outlets like Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America. This designation should also be tagged on other outlets which receive far more state funding than NPR, like the UK's BBC, Australia's ABC, Canada's CBC, and Saudi Press Agency. There's no issue with this label for NPR as long as Twitter applies the designation consistently and fairly.
Narrative B
NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. Twitter's designation of NPR as a US state-affiliated media is equally disturbing, as it is unacceptable. NPR receives less than 1% of its budget from federal grants, including from the government-supported Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Most of its revenue comes from corporate sponsorships, along with dues and fees paid by hundreds of independent and locally-owned member stations all over the US.
Cynical narrative
There were many speculations on Twitter following the platform's decision to label NPR as a propaganda outfit. One particularly striking said it was retribution for NPR executives' decision not to cover any live remarks by former President Donald Trump, including a speech he made to supporters after his Tuesday arraignment by a Manhattan District Attorney. This may be simple politics at play.
