Elon Musk: Twitter owner changes BBC account's 'government funded' label

Twitter has changed a statement connected the main BBC account, saying it is "publicly-funded" alternatively of "government funded media", aft the broadcaster objected.

In an interrogation with BBC News connected Tuesday, the societal media giant's proprietor Elon Musk said helium would marque the alteration due to the fact that "we're trying to beryllium accurate".

On Sunday, the BBC disputed the archetypal description, saying: "The BBC is, and ever has been, independent.

"We are funded by the British nationalist done the licence fee."

In an interrogation with BBC North America exertion newsman James Clayton successful San Francisco, Mr Musk noted: "I cognize the BBC for example's not thrilled astir being labelled state-affiliated media."

He said: "If we usage the aforesaid words that the BBC uses to picture itself, that presumably would beryllium OK… That seems to walk a tenable test." He added: "I really bash person a batch of respect for the BBC."

In response, the BBC said it "would invited immoderate specified move".

Twitter besides utilized the aforesaid "government funded" statement for US nationalist broadcaster NPR. On Wednesday, the broadcaster said it would nary longer station caller contented connected the societal media platform.

The BBC objected to the archetypal statement being utilized connected its main @BBC account.

The statement links to a leafage defining government-funded media arsenic outlets wherever the authorities "may person varying degrees of authorities engagement implicit editorial content".

The BBC's Royal Charter says it "must beryllium independent", peculiarly implicit "editorial and originative decisions, the times and mode successful which its output and services are supplied, and successful the absorption of its affairs".

The licence interest raised £3.8bn ($4.7bn) successful 2022 for the BBC, accounting for astir 71% of the BBC's full income of £5.3bn - with the remainder coming from its commercialized and different activities similar grants, royalties and rental income.

The BBC besides receives much than £90m per twelvemonth from the authorities to enactment the BBC World Service, which predominantly serves non-UK audiences.

Some person raised concerns astir authorities power implicit the BBC successful caller months, with rows implicit president Richard Sharp's links to erstwhile premier curate Boris Johnson, and ex-Downing Street communications manager Sir Robbie Gibb's spot connected the BBC board.

Director wide Tim Davie has insisted committee members "don't signifier the output", saying: "They don't marque the editorial calls. We do."