Twitter Adds ‘State-Affiliated Media’ Label To NPR’s Official Account
Twitter has added a “US state-affiliated media” label to the official account of National Public Radio (NPR).
Twitter defines state-affiliated media as “outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.” This is why media outlets in China and Russia, for example, are labeled state-affiliated media. Twitter clarifies to users that state-financed organizations with editorial independence do not receive this label. This is why the BBC in the UK does not have a state-affiliated media label on their account.
NPR CEO John Lansing released a statement where he expressed disagreement with Twitter’s decision.
“We were disturbed to see last night that Twitter has labeled NPR as ‘state-affiliated media,’ a description that, per Twitter’s own guidelines, does not apply to NPR. NPR and our member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide. NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. It is unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way. A vigorous, vibrant free press is essential to the health of our democracy.”
NPR CEO John Lansing
However, Twitter CEO Elon Musk tweeted this morning that he agreed with the decision to have NPR labeled as state-affiliated media. Musk simply responded “seems accurate,” and posted a screenshot of the policy definition of state-affiliated media.
“State-affiliated media is defined as outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over productionand distribution.”
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NPR is a nonprofit media organization that was founded by Congress. The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and eventually led to the creation of both NPR and PBS in the 1970s. While most of NPR’s funding comes from program fees and station dues, a small percentage of its funding indirectly comes from taxpayer dollars under grants from CPB.
