PBS exits Twitter due to “government-funded media” designation.

The broadcaster leaves Twitter, echoing NPR’s departure amid credibility issues.

PBS left Twitter after being labeled “government-funded media,” following NPR’s exit. The announcement came Thursday, shortly after Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner, referred to NPR as “state-affiliated media” deserving defunding. Despite Twitter reclassifying NPR as “government-funded media,” both NPR and PBS believe these labels aim to undermine their independence.

A PBS spokesperson clarified that the broadcaster receives some government subsidies, with the majority of funding from the public and philanthropic organizations. Similarly, NPR notes government subsidies but relies primarily on corporate and individual supporters and grants.

Even though Twitter has received substantial government subsidies, it has refrained from categorizing the accounts associated with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla companies as government-affiliated entities, according to United Press International.

Jason Phelps from PBS notified USA Today that the staff of the organization stopped using the Twitter account after the platform’s reclassification. Phelps mentioned that PBS presently has no plans to resume activity on the platform but is monitoring the situation closely.

Phelps also conveyed to USA Today that Twitter’s labeling is too simplistic and creates a misleading impression that PBS is solely funded by the federal government.