The BBC objected to being labelled as “government-funded media” on one of its Twitter accounts. The account, which has over two million followers, shares updates about BBC’s television programs, radio shows and podcasts and breaking news stories.
The label links a page on Twitter’s help website which says “state-affiliated media accounts are outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution”.
BBC said it is speaking to Twitter about the label to “resolve this issue as soon as possible”. Although other accounts of BBC, including BBC News (World) and BBC Breaking News, are not being labelled in the same way.
In a statement, the BBC said: “We are speaking to Twitter to resolve this issue as soon as possible. The BBC is, and always has been, independent. We are funded by the British public through the licence fee.”
Twitter has a help website which states that state-affiliated media outlets are outlets that the state has control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, or control over production and distribution.
The BBC is speaking to Twitter about resolving this issue as soon as possible. Although other accounts of BBC, including BBC News (World) and BBC Breaking News, are not being labelled in the same way.
The BBC is in communication with Twitter to resolve an issue. The BBC is funded by the British public, and is always independent.