New York Times Loses Verification on Social Media

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, recently took a swipe at the New York Times, mocking the publication for losing its blue verification badge on Twitter. Musk, who has a sizable following on the social media platform, called the Times’ feed “unreadable” and its content “propaganda.”

He suggested that the Times would have more real followers if it posted only its top articles, a recommendation he extended to all publications.

As of Sunday, the Times’ main Twitter page no longer features the blue verification badge, which had previously signaled to users that the account was authentic.

Twitter recently announced that it would begin phasing out its old verification system, and users who want to maintain their blue checks will need to subscribe to Twitter Blue, the platform’s $8 per month subscription service.

The Times is among several news organizations and high-profile Twitter users who have chosen not to pay for the blue check mark, which had previously been free for notable newsmakers and news outlets.

The publication noted that it would not pay for verification for its journalists either, with the exception of rare cases when the badge is “essential for reporting purposes,” according to the Washington Post.

Twitter Blue has had a rocky start, with several accounts impersonating public figures and companies shortly after the service was launched in November.

This resulted in the company halting the subscription service for several weeks before relaunching it the next month.

It is unclear whether the Times will comment on Musk’s remarks or whether the publication plans to subscribe to Twitter Blue to regain its verification badge.

However, Musk’s comments highlight the increasing importance of social media in the public discourse and the potential impact of verification badges on a user’s perceived credibility.