The BBC is at odds with Twitter after the social media platform labeled its main account with 2.2 million followers as “government-funded media.” The BBC maintains its independence and is funded by the British public through a license fee, not directly by the government.
The corporation has contacted Twitter to have the label removed as soon as possible. This comes amidst a period of change for Twitter following its acquisition by Elon Musk vtspotlight.com.
The BBC is not the only news organization affected. Twitter recently removed the blue verification tick from The New York Times account.
BBC’s Stance on Independence
The BBC has emphasized its editorial independence, a cornerstone of its reputation for unbiased reporting. In a statement, the BBC said, “We are funded by… the British public through the licence fee.” This funding structure separates the BBC from direct government control.
Elon Musk and Transparency
Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has defended the labeling while questioning the complete absence of bias in any media organization. He has called for more self-awareness from media outlets.
Uncertainties Remain
The situation highlights the ongoing debate about transparency on social media platforms. It remains unclear whether the label will be removed from the BBC account and how Twitter will handle the classification of other media organizations in the future.
