Twitter blocks international journalists’ accounts

Social media platform Twitter has suspended the accounts of a range of journalists who report on the company. 

Reporters including Steve Herman – a long time correspondent for Voice of America (pictured) who has covered the White House extensively – and others from CNN, the New York Times and Washington Post have all been locked out of their accounts. 

In a statement, Voice of America said it “can confirm that at approximately 9:00 p.m. last evening [15 December 2022], Twitter suspended the account of Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman. Later in the evening he received additional notification of the permanent suspension of his account. Mr. Herman is a seasoned reporter who upholds the highest journalistic standards and uses the social media platform as a news gathering and networking tool. Mr. Herman has received no information from Twitter as to why his account was suspended.

“As Chief National Correspondent, Mr. Herman covers international and national news stories and this suspension impedes his ability to perform his duties as a journalist. We request that Mr. Herman’s account be reinstated along with an explanation from Twitter for the suspension.”

The response from across the globe to the suspensions has been swift. The UN Under Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, said she was “deeply disturbed” about reports that journalists’ accounts were being “arbitrarily” suspended by Twitter. 

“Media freedom is not a toy,” she said. “A free press is the cornerstone of democratic societies and a key tool in the fight against harmful disinformation.”

In Brussels, EU Commissioner Vera Jourova suggested that sanctions could be applied against Twitter using the EU’s Digital Services Act. 

AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick said: “The Association for International Broadcasting is appalled that Twitter is suspending the accounts of respected and highly experienced journalists, including some who work for AIB Member news organisations.

“This goes against the principles of freedom of speech and does an immense disservice to Twitter’s user base across the globe who use the platform to gain news and information from trusted sources. The AIB and its Members call on Twitter to immediately reverse the suspensions of journalists’ accounts.”