Previously, the accounts of CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, The New York Times’ Ryan Mac, The Washington Post’s Drew Harwell and other journalists who have covered Musk in recent weeks have all been permanently suspended.
Post Date – 12:00 PM, Saturday – 12/17/22
Washington: Twitter’s unprecedented suspension of more than two dozen high-profile journalists for violating its ban on “human flesh searches” has sparked swift backlash around the world.
Previously, the accounts of CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, The New York Times’ Ryan Mac, The Washington Post’s Drew Harwell and other journalists who have covered Musk in recent weeks have all been permanently suspended. The account of progressive independent journalist Aaron Rupar was also banned.
Many journalists and media outlets have reacted to the suspension of Twitter accounts of various journalists.
“The suspension of (Washington Post reporter) Drew Harwell’s Twitter account directly undermines Elon Musk’s claim that he intends to The claim that Twitter operates as a platform dedicated to free speech,” Axios reported.
Fox News, meanwhile, said, “The tables have turned: Elon Musk has suspended CNN, The New York Times, WaPo reporters, reminding them that the rules apply to them, too.” In response to the account suspension of one of the reporters, CNN Said it would “re-evaluate” its relationship with Twitter.
Statement on CNN’s cancellation tonight @donie O’Sullivan: pic.twitter.com/TQGsysxvpf
— CNNPR (@CNNPR) December 16, 2022
“The impulsive and unwarranted suspension of some journalists, including CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, is concerning but not surprising. Twitter’s growing instability and volatility should cause concern for every We have asked Twitter for an explanation, and we will reevaluate our relationship based on that response,” the statement read.
Not only media outlets, but officials in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the European Union have condemned the suspensions, with some saying the platform is jeopardizing press freedom.
After joining the United Nations, the European Union also condemned the suspension of journalists’ Twitter accounts. Vera Jourova, the European Commission’s vice-president for values and transparency, threatened Musk that Twitter could soon face sanctions under new EU regulations.
The news about the arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is worrying. The EU’s Digital Services Act requires respect for media freedom and fundamental rights.This is under our reinforcement #Media Freedom Act. @elonmusk Should be aware of this. There are red lines. Sanctions, soon.
— Věra Jourová (@VeraJourova) December 16, 2022
“Worrying news about journalists being arbitrarily suspended on Twitter. The EU’s Digital Services Act requires respect for media freedom and fundamental rights. This is reinforced under our #MediaFreedomAct @elonmusk,” she tweeted.
Earlier, the United Nations slammed Twitter’s actions and said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “very disturbed” by Elon Musk’s suspension of journalists, calling it a dangerous precedent, while his spokesman Stephen Du Garrick said on Friday.
“We are deeply disturbed by the arbitrary suspension of journalists’ accounts we see on Twitter,” Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.
Dujarric said media voices should not be silenced on platforms that claim to be free speech spaces. The spokesman said the move set a dangerous precedent at a time when journalists around the world face censorship, physical threats and worse. According to Al Jazeera, his own activity on Twitter.
Germany’s foreign ministry has warned Twitter that it has problems with actions that endanger press freedom.
According to Al Jazeera, the suspension stemmed from a disagreement over a Twitter account called ElonJet, which used public information to track Musk’s private jet.
