Elon Musk is removing Twitter’s “government-funded media” labels after outlets flee the platform

Twitter removed the “government-funded” and “state-affiliated” labels, prompting several news outlets to stop tweeting on the platform. When asked why Twitter dropped the labels, Elon Musk says it was a “suggestion” from Walter Isaacson, the author of his forthcoming biography, according to NPR reporter Bobby Allyn.

The labels have already disappeared from the profiles of NPR, PBS, CBCAnd BBC, all of whom publicly criticized the move. NPR became the first major media organization to leave the platform after being slapped with the “state-affiliated” label and was later followed by PBS and CBC.

NPR’s profile no longer carries a “state-affiliated” media label.

Neither NPR, PBS, nor CBC have said whether they will resume their activity on Twitter now that the labels are gone. In a statement to The edge, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar says the organization is “reviewing this latest development and will put our Twitter accounts on hold before any further steps are taken.” NPR and PBS did not immediately respond The edge‘s request for comment, but we’ll update this article if we hear back.