Twitter's Musk-led 'Government-Funded Media' Label Drives Major News Outlets Off Platform

NPR is the first major U.S. news outlet to quit Twitter after the social network's new owner labeled it "government-funded media."
PBS, WBUR, and LAist soon followed NPR off Twitter, citing lack of faith in the platform's judgement and editorial independence.
Elon Musk doubled down on "government-funded media" labels as various news organizations protested the description, arguing federal funding makes up a tiny fraction of their operating budgets.
The White House defended public media's independence while right-wing figures rallied to defund NPR and PBS.
Musk's abrupt changes to Twitter verification and account labeling have caused numerous controversies, driving advertisers and media away from the platform.