Elon Musk Flexes His Media Muscle by Suspending Reporters on Twitter

It was unclear if Mr. Musk might eventually reverse course and restore the accounts of the suspended journalists. On Friday, Mr. Musk asked his 121 million followers to vote on when accounts might be reinstated; as of Friday evening, nearly 60 percent of respondents had voted “now.” The counting was set to run for several more hours.

This week’s developments left some reporters, not for the first time, wondering if Twitter’s days as the media’s preferred social platform are numbered, and if journalists ought to consider alternatives.

Naturally, the discussion played out on Twitter, with Mr. Musk, as usual, a highly active participant. In a string of posts on Friday, Mr. Musk — who, like any proud press baron, keeps a close watch on his platform — cracked jokes, defended his positions, and needled his critics. He highlighted a user’s post asserting that Twitter now had “more attention, press and power than ever,” replying with an approving emoji of a bull’s-eye.

Citizen Musk appeared to be enjoying himself.

Bernhard Warner and Kate Conger contributed reporting.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/business/media/elon-musk-twitter-journalist-suspension.html