This is how Elon Musk determines which media should receive the “state-funded” label

First, Elon Musk gave the US broadcaster NPR the “government-controlled” label, then he branded the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) with the stamp “government-funded media”. However, the broadcasters find this anything but good.

NPR chief John Lansing called the action “unacceptable.” Although Twitter has since changed the label for NPR to “government-funded,” that category doesn’t really apply either, as the station is funded through public funds from donations and contributions from affiliated broadcasters. As a result, NPR hasn’t tweeted anything about his account since April 5.

And the BBC is also angry and has turned to Twitter about the matter. “The BBC is independent and always has been,” the broadcaster said. “We are funded by the British public through license fees.”

The German Journalists Association (DJV) also criticized Twitter’s classification of the BBC. The label “state-financed” creates the impression that the broadcaster is politically dependent. “It cannot be ruled out that the Twitter owner will also autocratically give other media this label and thus bring them closer to state-controlled propaganda channels,” said DJV national chairman Frank Überall.

His conclusion: “Musk’s troubled relationship with freedom of the press is almost legendary. Since acquiring Twitter, he has abused his powers against media and journalists who don’t agree with him. That has to end.”

Now the Twitter boss has revealed to NPR reporter Bobby Allyn of all people that he is not consulting experts or verified reports to determine which companies are adding the new “government-funded” label to their Twitter profiles should get, but Wikipedia.

On a Twitter Help Page State-affiliated media are defined as media channels where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressure, and/or control over production and distribution. Accounts belonging to state-affiliated media companies, their editor-in-chief and/or prominent personnel may be labeled.”

But it also goes on to say: “State-funded media organizations that are editorially independent, such as Media outlets such as the BBC in the UK or NPR in the US are not considered to be state-affiliated media for the purposes of this policy. Despite this, the BBC still has the “government-funded” label.

The news that Elon Musk is using Wikipedia to make decisions about Twitter’s labels is the latest twist in the dispute with NPR and other media outlets over their editorial independence.

Funding from the US government accounts for only about 1 percent of NPR’s total funding. According to Allyn’s tweet, he told Musk that the US government has no control over NPR’s editorial decisions. Musk’s response: “If you truly believe that the government has no control over the facilities they fund, then you’ve been marinating in Kool-Aid for too long.”