Elon Musk defined the BBC as “a number of the least biased” media establishments after Twitter mistakenly labelled the brand new business enterprise as “authorities-funded media”. The BBC contacted Twitter after the designation changed into connected to the main @BBC account- linking via to a web page on Twitter`s assist centre that defined “state-affiliated media” as shops wherein the authorities “sporting activities manipulate over editorial content”.
“The BBC is, and constantly has been, independent. We are funded via way of means of the British public via the licence fee,” the BBC stated in a statement. Since 1927, the BBC has been operated via a Royal Charter agreed with the United Kingdom authorities. As consistent with the charter, BBC “ought to be independent”, in particular over “editorial and innovative decisions, the instances and way wherein its output and offerings are supplied, and withinside the control of its affairs”.
In reaction to the BBC`s complaint, Elon Musk asked, “Is the Twitter label accurate?”
In an electronic mail to the BBC, Elon Musk wrote as consistent with Guardian, “We are aiming for optimum transparency and accuracy. Linking to possession and supply of price range in all likelihood makes sense.”
“I do suppose media establishments have to be self-conscious and now no longer falsely declare the whole absence of bias. All establishments have bias, a few manifestly tons extra than others. I have to word that I observe BBC information on Twitter, due to the fact I suppose it’s miles a number of the least biased.”
Earlier Twitter additionally certain America`s National Public Radio (NPR) as “state-affiliated media”- however the description changed into later modified to the same “authorities funded media” tag as given to the BBC.