Elon Musk threatens to reassign NPR’s Twitter deal with to ‘another company’

Elon Musk, escalating his battle with media firms, prompt he might strip NPR of its Twitter deal with as a result of it had stopped tweeting.

The billionaire stated in a collection of emails Tuesday he might switch the @npr deal with — which has remained dormant for weeks — to “another company,” NPR reported. Twitter, which has fired its communications staff, didn’t particularly reply to an emailed request for remark.

NPR stop Twitter final month after Musk stirred controversy by labeling its account “state-affiliated media,” together with these for the BBC, PBS and different publicly funded organizations. NPR Chief Executive Officer John Lansing stated he misplaced religion with decision-making at Twitter following abrupt and seemingly arbitrary coverage modifications on the firm. Musk later withdrew the label, but in addition took it off government-backed shops together with China’s Xinhua News Agency and Russia’s RT.

“So is NPR going to start posting on Twitter again, or should we reassign @NPR to another company?” the group cited Musk as saying in an electronic mail.

Musk’s coverage modifications since taking up Twitter, from firing half its employees to demanding customers pay for once-coveted verified check-marks, have disconcerted observers and customers. Reassigning Twitter handles dangers deceptive customers at a time critics have highlighted the rising potential for misinformation on the platform.

Musk’s argument, based on NPR, was that it’s in step with Twitter coverage to reassign dormant accounts. Asked who may take over its deal with, the Twitter proprietor responded with “National Pumpkin Radio” and a few emojis, NPR reported.