As annoying as it is, the reality is that followers provide independence. If a reporter has a following, they can be more independent against corporate media power. Demanding reporters “delete their Twitter” is to cede to corporations, who will never leave Twitter. A better start to this would be to encourage journalists to join Mastodon *too* to build and diversify their audience, and to get them to report on Mastodon itself to get more folks here.
Constructive things to say to journalists: join Mastodon, encourage your audience to have their conversations here, report on Mastodon, add Mastodon to your news org bio, make a video explaining how to use Mastodon, ask lawmakers if they will be joining Mastodon
Not helpful: You are a fascist just like Elon Musk for not immediately deleting your Twitter and giving up the audience you spent 15 years building. It’s all or nothing, right now.
@tony What I usually say (to people in general, not just journalists) is that if you want options or alternatives, you need to nurture them and help them grow, or they won’t be there when you need them. Yes, it is extra work.