The United Nations has joined the European Union in condemning Twitter’s decision to suspend some journalists covering the social media firm.
Correspondents from The New York Times, CNN and The Washington Post were among those whose accounts were suspended.
The United Nations tweeted that media freedom was “not a toy” while the European Union threatened Twitter with sanctions.
A Twitter spokesperson told JEE News that the ban was related to live sharing of location data.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming said she was “deeply disturbed” by reports that journalists were being “arbitrarily” suspended from Twitter.
He said that freedom of media is not a toy. “A free press is a cornerstone of democratic societies and a vital tool in the fight against harmful misinformation.”
Earlier on Friday, EU Commissioner Vera Jourova threatened Twitter with sanctions under Europe’s new Digital Services Act, which she said requires “media freedom and respect for fundamental rights”.
“Elon Musk should be aware of this. There are red lines. And sanctions soon,” he added.
Mr Musk has not commented directly on the suspension, but said in a tweet that “criticizing me all day is fine, but doxing my true position and putting my family in danger is not”.
The technology tycoon later set up a poll asking whether he should suspend the accounts “now” or “in seven days”, suggesting the decision could be reversed sooner rather than later.
“The same rules apply to journalists that apply to everyone else,” he added, using a term to describe the release of private information about individuals online.
A New York Times spokesperson called the suspension “questionable and unfortunate.”
The suspension came after Mr Musk vowed to sue the owner of a profile that tracks his private jet.
He said a “crazy stalker” had used live location sharing to find and use a vehicle carrying his children in Los Angeles.
But after the suspension, the German Foreign Office warned on Twitter that “press freedom cannot be shut down and shut down on a whim”.
‘A Town Square’
Mr Musk took control of Twitter in October in a deal worth $44 billion ($36 billion).
When he completed his takeover, the billionaire told advertisers that he bought the site because he wanted to “try to help humanity”, and “a digital town square for civilization”.
It has made many changes in moderation practices. The move has alarmed some civil rights groups, who have accused the billionaire of taking steps that will increase hate speech, misinformation and abuse.
Any restrictions imposed on Mr Musk’s business over the account suspension could be applied under the bloc’s new Digital Services Act, which was approved by the EU earlier this year.
Under the terms of the proposed new law, the European Union Commission will be allowed to impose fines of up to 6% of the global turnover of a firm that it finds to be in breach of its rules.
In extreme cases, the EU can ask the court to suspend a rogue service, but only if it is “refusing to comply with important obligations and thereby endangering the lives and safety of people.” You’re putting it.”
Matt Binder, a Mashable journalist and one of the suspended, said he did not know why he had been banned.
“I’ve been very critical of Musk in my reporting,” he told JEE News. from” is not correct.
