National Public Radio (NPR) hasn’t tweeted since Tuesday after it was labeled “U.S. state-affiliated media” by billionaire Elon Musk’s fledgling social media platform.
NPR said when it reached out to Twitter owner Elon Musk earlier in the week to explain how competitive grants account for roughly 1% of the outlet’s operating budget, Musk indicated that likening the esteemed outlet to propaganda networks controlled by communist countries “might not be accurate.” He reportedly suggested a “fix” was in order, however the “false disclaimer” remained atop NPR’s feed Friday afternoon.
Musk has worked to undermine mainstream news outlets since purchasing Twitter for $44 billion in October.
On Sunday, the New York Times was stripped of its verified status after declining to pay Musk for that designation. Musk compared the Pulitzer Prize-winning paper to “diarrhea” in a tweet. He also took issue with Insider last May when it published an unfavorable story about him.
Media Matters for America reported within a month of the acquisition that Twitter lost half its advertisers amid concerns that users who were suspended for disseminating disinformation and hate speech would have their accounts reinstated. Musk said in a memo last month the company depreciated by $24 billion since his takeover.
NPR told the Us.Mistertruth that it changed its bio Thursday while awaiting corrective action from Twitter.
“NPR is an independent news organization committed to informing the public about the world around us,” the new bio says. “You can find us every other place you read the news.”
Meanwhile, Twitter responds with a poop emoji when contacted by reporters.