After NPR was designated by Twitter as “state-affiliated media” and then “Government-Funded Media” implying government involvement over their editorial content, the organization and some major affiliates have decided to suspend use of the platform.

NPR will not maintain its @NPR or other official brand accounts. In a statement on NPR.org, they write, “We have made this decision after Twitter refused repeated requests to remove an inaccurate label designating NPR as “state-affiliated media.” The label has since been changed to “Government-Funded Media,” which does not accurately capture our public media governance structure and still sends Twitter users to an explanation that implies “government involvement over editorial content.” We believe this label is intended to call in question our editorial independence and undermine our credibility. If we continued tweeting, every post would carry that misleading label. NPR’s content will remain available on other platforms where we can engage with our audiences and communities. This includes here at NPR.org, the NPR app for on-demand listening, our robust newsletter portfolio, liveblogs and push notifications. We will continue to maintain a presence on other social platforms, and are currently reviewing whether to expand to include other emerging third-party platforms.”

NPR was followed in their decision by “LAist” KPCC Los Angeles and WBUR Boston in suspending use of the platform.

KPCC states, “This morning NPR announced that it will no longer post to its official Twitter accounts. The move comes after the social media company first labeled NPR “state-affiliated” media before changing it to a “government-affiliated” media organization. Both designations are false. They are traditionally used to describe state-sponsored propaganda machines. NPR and its affiliated newsrooms, which include our own, operate with editorial independence and get only a small fraction of funding from government entities. LAist supports NPR’s decision and, in solidarity, will no longer post to our Twitter accounts. We agree with NPR CEO John Lansing, who said going silent on Twitter allows the network to “protect its credibility and its ability to produce journalism without ‘a shadow of negativity.’”

WBUR CEO Margaret Low wrote, “We agree. As always, we want our journalism to be accessible for all. Our audiences can discover, experience and engage with WBUR on air, online, on demand, in their inboxes and in real life. At moments like this, it bears repeating: WBUR’s mission is to produce high-quality journalism and enriching experiences that foster understanding, connection and community in Boston and beyond. We remain committed to that purpose. But a presence on Twitter no longer supports it.”

Also announcing their suspension of operations on Twitter among others were KCRW Los Angeles, KUOW Seattle, KUVO Denver, WESA Pittsburgh and others including PBS.

However, not all stations are following along. Louisville Public Media President/CEO Stephen George stated, “Louisville Public Media supports NPR’s decision to stop posting on Twitter. The platform’s leadership is seeking to undermine NPR’s credibility and spread misinformation about its editorial independence. That is extreme and unacceptable, and NPR’s response is appropriate. While LPM stands with NPR, we are also independent of them. We serve a distinct local audience on Twitter, and we believe we should continue to do so while we are able. Particularly after the events of this week in Louisville, where many in our community turned to social media for the latest updates on tragic events, we believe we should continue using Twitter to post fact-based, independent civic news that serves the public interest. In the event Twitter expands its disinformation campaign against public media or its leadership continues to undermine independent journalism, we will reevaluate our position.”