Better or Worse? Twitter Slaps 'Government Funded Media' Label on NPR

pcmag.com:

Twitter is no longer labeling NPR as "US state-affiliated media," a tag previously reserved for state-controlled news agencies known for peddling propaganda. Instead, Twitter swapped out the designation for a new “Government funded media” label, which it also slapped on the BBC.

The social media platform quietly made the change over the weekend after NPR and other journalists said the “state-affiliated media” labeling was inaccurate and risked undermining the reach of the US radio network.

But it doesn’t look like Twitter is backing down from the controversy. The company says it’s still necessary to label NPR and the BBC with the new, but vague “Government-funded media” label.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has claimed the labeling is needed to show NPR and BBC may hold some alleged bias in their news coverage due to receiving funding from government sources.

“We need to add more granularity to editorial influence, as it varies greatly,” Musk said in a tweet(Opens in a new window) on Sunday. “I don’t actually think the BBC is as biased as some other government-funded media, but it is silly of the BBC to claim zero influence. Minor government influence in their case would be accurate.”

Musk also sent an email to the BBC explaining the labeling. “We are aiming for maximum transparency and accuracy. Linking to ownership and source of funds probably makes sense. I do think media organizations should be self-aware and not falsely claim the complete absence of bias,” he wrote(Opens in a new window). "All organizations have bias, some obviously much more than others. I should note that I follow BBC News on Twitter, because I think it is among the least biased."

However, the BBC objects to the designation. “The BBC is, and always has