Twitter changes NPR’s label from ‘state-affiliated’ to ‘government-funded’ following backlash

Twitter has removed the «state-affiliated media» label it had placed on National Public Radio’s (NPR) official account and has instead labeled the news organization «government-funded media.

The change comes after many openly criticized Twitter for giving NPR the same label as outlets like China’s Xinhua News Agency and Russia Today, which have connections to the Chinese Communist Party and the Kremlin, respectively.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk pushed back against the criticism by sharing Twitter’s guidelines about government and state-affiliated media accounts.

State-affiliated media is defined as outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution,» the social media giant’s guidelines read.

The National Desk (TND) reached out to NPR for comment at the time, but did not hear back. However, an NPR spokesperson reportedly claimed the label «must be a mistake as it contradicts Twitter’s own guidelines,» according to The New York Post.

NPR President and CEO John Lansing also said in a statement at the time that the move against his news organization was «unacceptable,» and that NPR was «disturbed» to be labeled as «state-affiliated.»

NPR and our Member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide. NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. It is unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way,» Lansing said. «A vigorous, vibrant free press is essential to the health of our democracy.»
NPR refused to post on Twitter after the platform gave it the «state-affiliated» label, and also changed its account «bio» to say that it was «an independent news organization committed to informing the public about the world around us.»

You can find us every other place you read the news,» NPR’s new Twitter bio reads, an apparent jab at Musk and his social media platform.