Elon Musk’s Twitter has labelled the BBC as “government funded media” on its official account, prompting the British Broadcaster to object.
In an article on its own website, the BBC said it “has contacted the social media giant over the designation on the @BBC account to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
What’s to resolve? The BBC gets funding from the government via an enforced license fee which everyone who owns a TV in the UK is made to pay. If people refuse, they are hounded and threatened with fines or prison.
This trend is so hilarious. pic.twitter.com/ZpxGCea07r
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) April 9, 2023
Musk joked about the acronym BBC, before stating that he follows the broadcaster.
What does BBC stand for again? I keep forgetting.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 9, 2023
He also admitted that he doesn’t believe the BBC is as biased as some media outlets, but that it is “silly” for the broadcaster to claim that it isn’t influenced by the State:
CBC gets $1.2 billion per year from the Canadian gov (70% of its funding)@elonmusk, can you add a label? pic.twitter.com/AvATWMM62x
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 9, 2023
In a further email to the BBC, Musk explained, “We are aiming for maximum transparency and accuracy. Linking to ownership and source of funds probably makes sense. I do think media organizations should be self-aware and not falsely claim the complete absence of bias.”
“All organizations have bias, some obviously much more than others. I should note that I follow BBC News on Twitter, because I think it is among the least biased,” the Twitter owner added.
The move comes after Twitter labelled NPR a ‘State-affiliated media’ source last week, a label which has also now been changed to ‘government funded media’.
Twitter has also labelled Voice of America and PBS as ‘government funded media’:
NEW 🚨 Twitter has now labelled NPR, BBC, Voice of America and PBS as “Government Funded Media” pic.twitter.com/6FxASrtl6K
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 9, 2023
‘Debate’ about the move to label the BBC is underway:
This is absolutely hilarious. Government-funded media getting what they deserve. @BBC pic.twitter.com/H4XbjCC8sX
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) April 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/MarieAnnUK/status/1645154425130954752
Amazing how Government funded media doesn't like being called Government funded media. pic.twitter.com/XtSMvTIBJk
— Martin MacDonald (@Innealadair) April 9, 2023
That's just silly, pedantic, nonsensical word-diddling. The BBC is not just state-funded media, it's outright propaganda and always has been. The real problem is that it's been granted a special new label, "Government Funded", while outlets like RT are still "state-affiliated". https://t.co/g4T77fWN4Z
— Caitlin Johnstone (@caitoz) April 9, 2023
So apparently the @BBC are quite upset with the 'government-funded media' tag that Twitter has just given them, because it's inaccurate.
— 🆂🅲🅾🆃🆃🆈 🎸🔥 (@ScottyGoesAgain) April 9, 2023
I agree – this is more fitting 😌 pic.twitter.com/CnW6JteZ1Y
By Steve Watson