The broadcaster departs Twitter, following NPR’s exit amid credibility concerns.
PBS has left Twitter after the platform labeled it as “government-funded media.” The broadcaster made the announcement on Thursday, shortly after National Public Radio departed the platform. The move came after Twitter owner Elon Musk referred to NPR as “state-affiliated media” that should be defunded. Although Twitter has since reclassified NPR as “government-funded media,” both NPR and PBS believe that these labels were designed to undermine their status as independent news organizations.
According to a PBS spokesperson, the broadcaster receives some government subsidies, but a majority of its funding comes from the public and philanthropic organizations. Similarly, NPR states that while it receives government subsidies, its primary source of funding comes from corporate and individual supporters and grants.
Despite receiving billions in government subsidies, Twitter has not labeled the accounts for Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla companies as government-affiliated organizations, as reported by United Press International.
Jason Phelps of PBS informed USA Today that the organization’s staff ceased utilizing the Twitter account following the platform’s reclassification. Phelps stated that PBS currently has no intentions of returning to the platform but is closely observing the situation.
Phelps also remarked to USA Today that Twitter’s labeling is oversimplified and presents an incorrect impression that PBS is entirely funded by the federal government.
