Security News > 2020 > August > Twitter Moves to Reduce Reach of 'State-affiliated' Media
The Twitter move affects media "Where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution," the company said in a statement.
"Unlike independent media, state-affiliated media frequently use their news coverage as a means to advance a political agenda. We believe that people have the right to know when a media account is affiliated directly or indirectly with a state actor."
Twitter said the decision would not affect "State-financed media organizations with editorial independence," specifically citing the British-based BBC and US-based National Public Radio.
For accounts with the state-affiliated media label, Twitter will offer a link to an article explaining the policy and referring them to its "Transparency report."
The moves by Twitter and Facebook come amid concerns over campaigns by governments aimed at influencing elections and public sentiment in other countries through media outlets that disguise their true origins.