NY Times loses prestigious mark for spreading false stories.
Twitter CEO Elon Musk Removes Verification Badge from New York Times
After years of Twitter targeting conservatives and censoring content, it seems the tables have turned. On Tuesday, Elon Musk took away the Twitter gold badge, a verification badge for “official” accounts, from the New York Times’ X page. The Times later received a blue “verified” badge on Thursday, which is available for purchase by anyone.
No explanation was given for this humiliating demotion on X, according to The Washington Post. Prior to Musk’s ownership of X, verified badges were granted to verified politicians, journalists, and public figures. Musk introduced a subscription-based system where individuals could get blue badges for $8 a month and “verified organizations” could obtain gold badges for a monthly fee of at least $1,000.
The New York Times refused to pay the fee, prompting Musk to strip the Times of its verification badge. However, Musk later allowed the publication to have its badge without paying the fee.
On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story accusing Israel of bombing a Gaza hospital. Subsequent investigations showed that the explosion was caused by a misfired rocket shot from Gaza.
New York Times lied and said that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza and used a photo of a building in a different location to make it look like a hospital. They also made stealth edits to headlines 3x in one day to cover their lies about the hospital bombing. pic.twitter.com/gKIVtLplyo
— Savannah (@BasedSavannah) October 20, 2023
Despite a statement from a representative of the Times defending its reporting, the outlet faced criticism for deliberately misleading its readers.
I agree the @nytimes didn’t “botch” the Gaza hospital story. They did something worse. They intentionally wrote an attention grabbing headline that falsely pointed the blame at Israel to generate clicks during breaking news, without waiting for confirmation or the actual facts. https://t.co/rFcv1xFZoS
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) October 20, 2023
Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of the Times, previously accusing it of supporting “calls for genocide” and suggesting it should be canceled.
X also implemented a five-second delay on clicks from X to the Times website, which it later removed but kept in place for its Facebook and other social media sites. Traffic from X to the Times website has decreased by roughly 50 percent since August.
While we do not support censorship, Musk’s actions highlight the biased coverage of respected news outlets like the Times and the need to question the truthfulness of legacy media.
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The post New York Times Humiliated, Stripped of Prestigious Mark After Taking False Stories Too Far appeared first on The Western Journal.
In what ways does the inclusion of a paid option for verification badges compromise the authenticity and credibility that these badges are meant to represent
E outrage. This deliberate manipulation of information highlights a concerning trend within the media industry, where clickbait headlines and sensationalism take precedence over accurate and unbiased reporting.
Elon Musk’s decision to remove the verification badge from the New York Times may be seen as a response to the outlet’s questionable reporting practices. By doing so, Musk sends a clear message that credibility and integrity are paramount in the world of journalism.
It is worth noting that this incident is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, Twitter has faced criticism for its biased treatment of conservative voices and its tendency to censor content that goes against its own ideological leanings. Many individuals and organizations have been unfairly targeted and silenced, leading to concerns about freedom of speech and the power of big tech companies.
Musk’s introduction of a subscription-based system for verification badges seemed like a novel way to address this issue. By allowing individuals and organizations to earn verification badges through a transparent and fair process, Musk aimed to democratize the platform and reduce the influence of Twitter’s own biases.
However, the fact that verification badges can also be purchased raises questions about the integrity of the system. While it is understandable that Twitter needs to generate revenue, the inclusion of a paid option for verification may compromise the authenticity and credibility that badges are meant to represent.
The New York Times’ refusal to pay for a verification badge can be seen as a stance against this commercialization of credibility. By upholding its journalistic principles and refusing to succumb to the pressures of payment, the Times showcases its commitment to journalistic integrity.
Nevertheless, the incident raises broader questions about the role of verification badges and the responsibility of social media platforms in promoting reliable information. While verification badges were initially introduced to combat misinformation and promote transparency, their value may be diminished when they can be acquired through payment.
In an era where fake news and disinformation are prevalent, it is crucial that social media platforms and journalists alike prioritize accuracy and accountability. By holding media outlets to high standards and encouraging transparency, we can foster a more informed and trustworthy media landscape.
As the dust settles on this incident, it serves as a reminder that the power to shape narratives lies not only with journalists and media outlets but also with the platforms that amplify their voices. It is a call to action for Twitter, Elon Musk, and all stakeholders in the media industry to reflect on the importance of unbiased reporting, free speech, and the democratization of information.
We are at a crossroads where the future of journalism and the role of social media in shaping public discourse hang in the balance. It is our collective responsibility to navigate these challenges with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the truth.
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