NPR Criticizes Twitter for 'State-Affiliated Media' Label

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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.1
  • 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.'2
  • NPR called Twitter's decision 'unacceptable,' stating: 'We were disturbed to see last night that Twitter has labeled NPR as 'state-affiliated media,' a description that, per Twitter's guidelines, does not apply to NPR.'3
  • White House Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre defended the integrity of NPR journalists, saying they 'work diligently to hold public officials accountable' and that the 'hard-hitting, independent nature of their coverage speaks for itself.'4
  • NPR is partly funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, an agency created by Congress decades ago to fund public radio and television with tax dollars. The company said its contributions comprise less than 1% of NPR's annual operating budget.5
  • However, Twitter has yet to label several other media organizations funded by governments as 'state-affiliated.' Voice of America, BBC, and Stars and Stripes — as examples — continue to operate on Twitter without being labeled 'state-affiliated.'6

Sources: 1Business Insider, 2New York Post, 3CNN, 4Wall Street Journal, 5Associated Press and 6Washington Post.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Caitlinjohnstone. 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, as provided by Wall Street Journal. 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, as provided by Newsweek. 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.