Hours after National Public Radio threw what NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck described as a "hissy fit" against the Elon Musk-owned Twitter and left the platform over being accurately described as "state-affiliated media" and later "government-funded media," CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell clearly seemed saddened by the left-wing outlet leaving. CBS later attempted to slime Musk's stewardship of Twitter by falsely claiming that "misinformation" on the platform was up 42 percent. They then omitted a BBC reporter getting called out by Musk when he couldn't point to an example of "hateful content" on Twitter.
O'Donnell opened the segment by solemnly reporting the news that "National Public Radio told its nearly 9 million followers on Twitter today that it’s quitting the platform owned by Elon Musk." O'Donnell added that state-media outlet NPR was triggered because "Twitter labeled NPR's main account as 'state-affiliated media, later changing it to 'government-funded media,' which NPR says undermined its editorial independence."
Federalist senior editor John Daniel Davidson perfectly summed up better than anyone could why NPR was pointing fingers in the wrong direction over their concerns about undermining their credibility:
There’s nothing Elon Musk or Twitter could ever do to undermine NPR’s credibility as much as NPR itself has done.
— John Daniel Davidson (@johnddavidson) April 12, 2023
In recent years especially, it’s become an insufferable self-parody. Good riddance. https://t.co/z9waWb63Ar
Later on in the report, correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti whined about "rampant misinformation" on Twitter and cut to a BBC interview Musk gave where he addressed those false claims:
MUSK: I actually think there's less these days because we have eliminated so many of the bots, which were pushing scams and spam. And previously, previous management turned a blind eye.
Despite just explaining why claims of "misinformation" were untrue, Vigliotti pushed a bogus study claiming "accounts that often linked to false information have seen engagement increase 42 percent since Musk purchased the company last October."
While CBS aired a number of clips from Musk's interview with BBC, they curiously didn't air the moment where, when challenged, the BBC reporter couldn't point to a single example of "hateful content on Twitter," despite telling Musk there's been a rise in such content.
BBC journalist: “There’s been a rise in hateful content on Twitter.”
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) April 12, 2023
Elon Musk: “Give me an example.”
Journalist: “I can’t.”
Musk: “You just lied.” pic.twitter.com/LONdKdZJH8
Another classic example of bias by omission from CBS Evening News.
This segment on CBS was made possible by Liberty Mutual. Their information is linked.
To read the transcript click "expand":
CBS Evening News
4/12/2023
6:42:08 p.m. EasternNORAH O’DONNELL: National Public Radio told its nearly 9 million followers on Twitter today that it’s quitting the platform owned by Elon Musk. Twitter labeled NPR's main account as "State-affiliated media," later changing it to "Government-funded media," which NPR says undermined its editorial independence, and it comes as Musk, in a rare interview, revealed he would sell Twitter to the right owner. Here is CBS's Jonathan Vigliotti.
JONATHAN VIGLIOTTI: In a wide-ranging interview with CBS News partner, the BBC, Elon Musk addressed a tidal wave of controversy and missteps.
ELON MUSK: The pain level of Twitter has been extremely high. This hasn't been some sort of party. So, it's been really quite a stressful situation.
VIGLIOTTI: Critics say after laying off nearly 80 percent of Twitter staff, the site has been plagued with operational problems. What Musk dismissed as glitches. He also pushed back on claims of rampant misinformation on the site.
MUSK: I actually think there's less these days because we have eliminated so many of the bots, which were pushing scams and spam. And previously, previous management turned a blind eye.
VIGLIOTTI: One study found accounts that often linked to false information have seen engagement increase 42 percent since Musk purchased the company last October. What's indisputable is the financial hit Twitter has taken. In March, Musk valued the company at $20 billion, down from the $44 billion he paid.
MUSK: I think we’re trending toward being cash flow positive very soon, like literally in a matter of months.
VIGLIOTTI: But there’s also concern users will follow NPR's lead and leave the site altogether. Musk has previously said he would find a new CEO to run the struggling company, which he joked about in the interview.
MUSK: I am not the CEO of Twitter. My dog is the CEO of Twitter.
VIGLIOTTI: When pressed further, he said he planned to name a successor at some point.
