Elon Musk has suspended the Twitter accounts of journalists who have critical opinions of him.
The SpaceX founder – who completed his $44 billion takeover of the microblogging site in October – removed the posting privileges of reporters from across many respected media brands such as CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post.
According to the news site The Verge, the “sanctions” were in connection to the sharing of live location data connected to his private jet on Twitter.
The 51-year-old billionaire – and self-proclaimed ‘free speech’ fan – tweeted: “Criticizing me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not.”
He added: “Same doxxing rules apply to ‘journalists’ as to everyone else. They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service.”
“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!”
A rep from the New York Times labelled the suspensions “questionable and unfortunate” as they explained they or their reporter Ryan Mac were given a reason.
CNN called the “impulsive and unjustified suspension” “concerning and not surprising” and requested clarification from Twitter, and intend to “re-evaluate our relationship based on that response”.
Their correspondent, Donie O’Sullivan – who faced a ban – called it a milestone for “the potential chilling impact” for journalism.
Vera Jourova, the EU’s commissioner reminded Elon about the confederation’s Digital Services Act requirements for media freedom.
She wrote: “Elon Musk should be aware of that. There are red lines. And sanctions, soon.”