PBS withdraws from Twitter after being labeled 'government-funded media'

PBS withdraws from Twitter after being labeled ‘government-funded media’

According to PBS, federal funding accounts for 15% of public television system revenue, while the largest source of revenue, 31%, comes from donations from individuals. NPR reports that federal funding makes up less than 1% of its average annual budget, and the broadcaster chose to stop using Twitter to safeguard its credibility. NPR claims that the label implies government editorial influence, which conflicts with the organization’s status as a private, nonprofit company with editorial independence.