1 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:10,900 Twitter recently labeled national public radio or NPR as 2 00:00:10,900 --> 00:00:14,700 state-affiliated, media on the social media site, a move that 3 00:00:14,700 --> 00:00:17,600 has raised concerns about public confidence in the news 4 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:21,100 organization and NPR has expressed his dismay over the 5 00:00:21,108 --> 00:00:23,700 description added to all of the tweets. 6 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:28,100 It sends out with John Lansing, its president and CEO calling it 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,100 unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way and the reason 8 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:35,700 behind Twitter said move is kind of unclear, but it came just 9 00:00:35,700 --> 00:00:39,200 days after the company stripped, the New York Times of its 10 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:42,900 verification check mark in the labeling of NPR is State. 11 00:00:42,900 --> 00:00:46,900 Affiliate media is a serious blow to its reputation and could 12 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:49,900 undermine public confidence in its reporting. 13 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:54,400 The move by Twitter has sparked a backlash among journalists and 14 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:57,400 Free Speech Advocates who have criticized the company for his 15 00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,800 decision. And it is particularly 16 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,700 concerning given the outgoing attacks on the Press by the 17 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:06,200 former President Trump. Who regularly labeled the me. 18 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:11,400 A as fake news and the enemy of the people. 19 00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:16,500 Now NPR has expressed its dismay over the description added to 20 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:19,100 all of the tweets. It sends out and it's 21 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:22,000 unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way. 22 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:28,500 A representative of NPR has said, in the reason behind this 23 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:33,100 is still unclear Elon Musk quoted it a fit, a definition of 24 00:01:33,100 --> 00:01:37,100 state-affiliated media in the company's guideline as Outlets 25 00:01:37,100 --> 00:01:40,800 where the state exercises control over editorial content, 26 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,600 through financial resources, direct or indirect political 27 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:50,000 pressures and or control over production and distribution now, 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,200 however NPR does receive US Government funding through 29 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,600 grants from federal agencies and departments along with the 30 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,700 Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 31 00:01:58,900 --> 00:02:03,400 The company said it accounts for less than 1% of NPR's annual 32 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:06,800 operation budget. But until Wednesday, The same 33 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,699 Twitter guidelines said that state finance media, 34 00:02:09,699 --> 00:02:13,600 organizations, with editorial Independence, like the BBC in 35 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,100 the UK or NPR in the United States are not defined as 36 00:02:17,100 --> 00:02:20,700 state-affiliated media for the purposes of this policy. 37 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:25,100 Now, NPR has now been removed from that sentence on Twitter's 38 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:30,000 website, the move came just days after Twitter strip, the New 39 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,400 York Times of its verification. Check mark in NPR in its member 40 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:35,800 stations are supported by millions of listeners. 41 00:02:36,300 --> 00:02:39,500 Who depend on them, for independent fact-based 42 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:42,500 journalism, in a stands, for freedom of speech, and holding 43 00:02:42,500 --> 00:02:46,400 the powerful accountable and the literary organization pain. 44 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:50,200 America has called for Twitter to reverse the move underlining 45 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,900 that NPR maintains editorial Independence. 46 00:02:54,500 --> 00:02:58,200 I went to statement, Liz Woolery pain, America's digital policy 47 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:01,500 leader said that Twitter's decision was a dangerous move, 48 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:04,800 that could further undermine public confidence in reliable 49 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,300 news sources. She had That NPR is a model for 50 00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:11,700 independent journalism and a suggest otherwise threatens the 51 00:03:11,700 --> 00:03:16,500 entire news ecosystem, Twitter, must immediately reverse this 52 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:20,800 decision, they said and NPR is one of the most trusted news 53 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:22,700 organizations in the United States. 54 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:26,000 They provide impartial and objective coverage of the news 55 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,200 and they've won numerous awards for its reporting, including the 56 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,600 prestigious Peabody Award as a strong reputation for holding 57 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:36,200 the powerful accountable, the labeling of NPR is state. 58 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:40,400 Affiliated media is a serious blow to the reputation of NPR 59 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:44,700 and could undermine the public confidence in its overall 60 00:03:44,700 --> 00:03:48,800 reporting and its brand. And the move by Twitter, spark 61 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:53,600 some backlash among journalists and Free Speech, Advocates after 62 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:57,300 they've been labeled, state-run, news or fake news. 63 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:00,100 The labeling of NPR is state-affiliated. 64 00:04:00,100 --> 00:04:03,900 Media could be seen as a part of a broader campaign to discredit 65 00:04:03,900 --> 00:04:07,600 the media and undermine public Trust in journalism. 66 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,900 Now, Twitter has been criticized in the past for its handling of 67 00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:14,100 misinformation and disinformation on the platform 68 00:04:14,500 --> 00:04:17,600 and the company has taken steps to address these issues such as 69 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,399 labeling tweets that contain false information, and banning 70 00:04:21,399 --> 00:04:23,300 accounts. That spread misinformation. 71 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,100 However, the labeling of NPR is State affiliate. 72 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:30,000 Media appears to be a misstep that could do more harm than 73 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,300 good. And the move by Twitter, is also 74 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:35,900 raised questions about the company's relationship with Elon 75 00:04:35,900 --> 00:04:38,400 Musk who has been known to use the platform to make 76 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:42,400 controversial statements and promote his own interests musk 77 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,300 has been criticized in the past for his attacks, on the media, 78 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:48,000 and his decision to label in PR is state-affiliated. 79 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,800 Media has been seen by some as part of his ongoing campaign 80 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,400 against the Press. Now, when response to the 81 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,600 backlash, Twitter has not issued a formal statement on the 82 00:04:57,600 --> 00:04:59,800 matter. The company is only responded 83 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,600 with an automated. Did poop emoji when asked for 84 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,900 comment. And the lack of a response from 85 00:05:04,900 --> 00:05:08,900 Twitter is only added to the frustration felt by journalists 86 00:05:08,900 --> 00:05:12,800 and Free Speech Advocates, who are calling for the company to 87 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:13,900 reverse. Its decision. 88 00:05:13,900 --> 00:05:19,500 Now NPR has refused to tweet from its main account, since all 89 00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:23,500 of this started, which boasts more than 8 million followers 90 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:27,900 until their Twitter CEO. Elon musk's removing of the 91 00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:30,300 false label, that designates news. 92 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:35,300 Ian is state-affiliated Media. Musk himself recently admitted 93 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:38,200 to an NPR reporter. That is designation of the media 94 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:43,100 outlet might not be accurate, and that he has some evaluating 95 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:48,300 of the label on the nonprofit, media orgs account, despite this 96 00:05:48,700 --> 00:05:52,300 in PR was still falsely designated as state-controlled 97 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:54,200 on the social media site, has a Friday. 98 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,700 And the label in question, categorises Outlets, where the 99 00:05:57,700 --> 00:06:01,600 state exercises control over editorial content, through 100 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,500 Financial Resources, Director in Direct political pressures and 101 00:06:05,500 --> 00:06:08,900 or control over production and distribution of the media. 102 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,600 It's an inaccurate label applied to NPR according to NPR, which 103 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,000 only receives one percent of its funding from the federal 104 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,500 government. Now, it's unclear. 105 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:23,200 Why Elon Musk suddenly decided to place just NPR in the same 106 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,300 category as Chinese and Russian government propaganda. 107 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:31,000 However, musk did react positively to some influencers 108 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,400 who tweeted exclaiming Get Wrecked. 109 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:39,100 Over the state Affiliated, me Z media, designation musk replied 110 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,400 with seems accurate. Alongside a screenshot of 111 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:46,300 Twitter, help centers definition of the term, now other 112 00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:50,500 conservative musk fans, predictably applauded the move 113 00:06:50,500 --> 00:06:54,900 by the billionaire, and are making him feel comfortable with 114 00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:58,400 this decision. Twitter, however, stealth edited 115 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,300 its own guidelines. Following the change to NPR's 116 00:07:01,300 --> 00:07:05,400 bio prior to placing it on. Our with Artie and Sputnik. 117 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,900 That's like actually cited NPR is an example of state finance 118 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:12,800 media, organizations, with editorial Independence and that 119 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:16,600 should not be labeled as state-run while Free Press 120 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,800 Advocates and journalists took Twitter to task over the 121 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,400 inaccurate. Labeling noting the NPR receives 122 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,100 only 1% of its funding from the federal government. 123 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:29,100 The outlet itself fire back, they said we were Disturbed to 124 00:07:29,100 --> 00:07:32,900 see last night that Twitter has labeled NPR is state-affiliated 125 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:35,300 Media. It is scription then / Twitter. 126 00:07:35,300 --> 00:07:39,900 Some guidelines does not apply to NPR NPR president and CEO 127 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,800 John Lansing said on Wednesday. He also said NPR and our member 128 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,600 stations are supported by millions of listeners, who 129 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:51,100 depend on us for the independent fact-based journalism, we 130 00:07:51,100 --> 00:07:54,900 provide and PR stands for freedom of speech and holding 131 00:07:54,900 --> 00:07:58,300 the powerful accountable. It is unacceptable for Twitter 132 00:07:58,300 --> 00:08:03,300 to label us this way. And since early last week or and 133 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:07,200 PR has deliberately not tweeted from its main account, though, 134 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:10,100 it is posted from affiliate accounts that are not labeled as 135 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:14,200 state-run and the outlets reporters continue to tweet on 136 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:18,300 their own now and PR is also changed as Twitter bio which now 137 00:08:18,300 --> 00:08:22,000 reads NPR is an independent news organization committed to 138 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,100 informing the public about the world around us. 139 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:28,800 You can find us every other place that you read the news and 140 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:32,900 at the same time, the NPR spokesperson told The Daily 141 00:08:32,900 --> 00:08:35,000 Beast. This shouldn't be characterized 142 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,900 as a Twitter boycott because the outlet is merely pushing for the 143 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:43,000 false designation to be dropped from its main account. 144 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:45,200 Thank you so, much for listening today. 145 00:08:45,300 --> 00:08:47,600 I appreciate your time and I appreciate you spending your 146 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:51,400 time here with me. Now, if you like independent 147 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,700 journalism, like this, please take a second and hit. 148 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:58,000 The Subscribe or follow button on whatever platform you're on, 149 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,500 helps out the show a little bit and gets you the news about Elon 150 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:05,600 Musk and all of his companies. Including Twitter SpaceX Tesla, 151 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,700 everything else. He has his hands in on a daily 152 00:09:08,700 --> 00:09:10,900 basis. So, thank you so much for doing 153 00:09:10,900 --> 00:09:14,800 that. And thank you again, have a 154 00:09:14,808 --> 00:09:17,000 great weekend and I'll see you next time.