Twitter suspends CNN, NYT, WaPo journalists, Elon Musk alleges they're banned for 'doxxing' his familyFox News, Dec 15, 2022
There was utter commotion on Twitter after it was discovered that prominent media critics of its owner Elon Musk were simultaneously banned from the platform without explanation.
Among those whose accounts were permanently suspended include CNN correspondent Donie O'Sullivan, New York Times technology reporter Ryan Mac, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell, The Intercept journalist Micah Lee, VOA correspondent Steve Herman, Mashable writer Matt Binder, former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann and former Vox journalist Aaron Rupar.
Additionally, the Twitter account belonging to the social media rival Mastodon, which served as a safe haven for liberals who initially fled Twitter following Musk's takeover (many made their way back to Twitter).
Musk, who described himself as being a free-speech absolutist, received backlash for the purge of his critics, many calling for him to explain why those accounts were suspended.
[...]
Musk defended Twitters actions, tweeting" Same doxxing rules apply to ‘journalists’ as to everyone else."
In another tweet, Musk said, "Criticizing me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not."
He added, "They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service."
He later clarified "Accounts engaged in doxxing receive a temporary 7 day suspension" and that "current system isn’t clear" about the length of their suspensions.
Musk the posted a late-night poll asking his roughly 122 million followers when he should "Unsuspend accounts who doxxed my exact location in real-time," giving Twitter users the options between "now," "tomorrow," "7 days from now" and "longer."
At the end of the 30-minute poll, "Now" received 43% of the vote, followed by "Longer" with 38%, "7 days from now" with 14% and "Tomorrow" with just 4%. 535,233 Twitter users cast their vote.
Musk also fired back at his critics, writing "If anyone posted real-time locations & addresses of NYT reporters, FBI would be investigating, there’d be hearings on Capitol Hill & Biden would give speeches about end of democracy!"
More:
https://www.foxnews.com/media/twitter-suspends-cnn-nyt-wapo-journalists-critical-elon-musk-sparks-viral-uproar
