Following backlash from various quarters, Billionaire owner of social media platform Elon Musk on Saturday said that he would reinstate journalists' accounts which were suspended for 'doxxing.'
Musk tweeted, “The people have spoken. Accounts who doxxed my location will have their suspension lifted now.” Musk conducted a Twitter poll whether the suspended accounts should be reinstated and 58.7 per cent responded to reinstate the accounts 'now.'
Twitter on Thursday suspended the accounts of several prominent journalists citing 'doxxing.' Elon Musk, the new owner of the social media platform said that rules banning publishing of personal information applied to all.
Reuters reported among the journalist accounts were that of Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell (@drewharwell), who wrote on social media platform Mastodon. Reuters reported the accounts of Times reporter Ryan Mac (@rmac18), CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan (@donie), and Mashable reporter Matt Binder @MattBinder were also suspended, as was that of independent journalist Aaron Rupar (@atrupar), who covers the US
policy and politics.
The suspension of accounts drew strong criticism from government officials and journalism organisations. Germany's foreign office has raised objections to the suspension of accounts and called the action unacceptable. A senior government official also threatened to leave Twitter.
“The move sets a dangerous precedent at a time when journalists all over the world are facing censorship, physical threats and even worse," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that media voices should not be silenced on a platform professing to give space for freedom of speech. The European Union also condemned the platform for jeopardising press freedom.
