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NPR won’t use Twitter after being labeled ‘government-funded media’
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
The Facts
NPR announced Wednesday it will no longer use Twitter to distribute its content after the platform began labeling the news outlet as "state-affiliated media” — which is typically assigned to publications like Russia's RT and China's Xinhua. Twitter later changed the label to "government-funded media.”
NPR accused the Elon Musk-owned company of "falsely implying" that the outlet is not editorially independent. NPR added that it won't put its content on a platform that seeks to undermine its credibility.
The Spin
Narrative A
If anything, Twitter's "state-affiliated media" label has not been applied enough. In addition to NPR, the label should be pinned to accounts for 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.
Narrative B
All media outlets are funded by someone, so the only question is whether a news outlet is independent – and NPR certainly is. Throughout its history, NPR has remained objective in reporting nationally and internationally. Just because an outlet receives some government funding doesn’t mean it puts its journalistic ethics on hold.
Narrative C
This label serves no purpose other than to satisfy Musk’s axe to grind with NPR after the organization decided not to cover live remarks last week by former Pres. Trump. Musk is using Twitter to play politics and punish those whose values don’t align with his.
