Elon Musk changed the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Twitter tag to '69% Government-funded Media,' saying it described itself as 'less than 70% government-funded'
Business InsiderNov 27, 2022
The Facts
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on Monday paused its use of Twitter following the social media platform's decision to label the public broadcaster as "government-funded media." CBC has stated that the label "undermines" the credibility of the organization's work.
CBC reportedly sent a letter asking Twitter to re-examine the label. CBC spokesman Leon Mar argued that the media outlet does not meet Twitter's criteria for the designation as its public funding is voted upon by all members of Canada's parliament, and its editorial independence is secured through the country's Broadcasting Act.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Debating the role of the CBC is a shared Canadian pastime, however, both Musk and Poilievre have portrayed it in a manner that is both regrettable and altogether strange. There is a marked difference between the likes of Tass, People's Daily, and other literal organs of the state, and the BBC, NPR, and the CBC. The fact that the CBC receives state funding is no secret, but to place it in the same category as other outlets that lack editorial freedom is absurd. Poilievre and Musk are clearly wrong in this matter.
Establishment-critical narrative
Trudeau and the CBC's hypocrisy are on full display, continuing to promote digital media literacy and yet becoming incensed by the factual statement that the CBC is government-funded. Outlets have thrown tantrums over Twitter's new rules simply asking them to be transparent about their funding models. In reality, however, all that has changed is the ability for people to independently judge whether they are being fed government propaganda.
