Taylor LorenzJul 16, 2023

Pet peeve: I don’t like when media outlets do this. CNBC *KNOWINGLY* messaged a defunct email address at Twitter that they KNOW is programmed to respond with this emoji (and has been for 8 months).

Just email Musk directly for comment. We all have his contact info. It’s such a farce to email a dead email acct you KNOW will return this emoji then act like it’s some sacrilege and write it up in this way.

Show threadTaylor LorenzJul 16, 2023
I feel like it feeds into exactly what Musk and his idiot fanboys want which is to troll the meeia. Journalists, stop doing it!
Show threadPhillip de WetJul 16, 2023
@taylorlorenz It's never been tested - and probably won't be, Twitter would have to lodge a complaint.
But under South African media regulations we are required to attempt to contact the company through its chosen formal mechanism, and to report its response.
Even if it is automated, even if we know it is trolling, the rules in place to protect not-crazy subjects of reporting still apply.
Show threadCrazyMyra
@phillipdewet Privileged access to officials is Western journalism's whole shtick. It's among the reasons the media is such a mess - they want to allow the guy the opportunity to give his personal spin, not simply offer the opportunity, get the emoji, and then go ahead and publish if your story is strong enough.
Jul 16, 2023 at 9:32amWeb
Show threadPhillip de WetJul 16, 2023

@OutOnTheMoors Philosophically, I like rules that require us to bend over backwards to include comment from the subject of critical reporting – even if that gives bad people too much airtime.

Practically, I have often appreciated – mostly in hindsight – being forced to do so.

It's easy to get lost in the hunt, to convince yourself that people are evil, to caricature.

That serves nobody, Even a straight-up hit piece is stronger for nuance.

Show threadCrazyMyraJul 16, 2023
@phillipdewet Agreed. But Musk IS being given the right to respond. The poop emoji is "no comment - unless you kiss my arse".
Lots of reporters playing along being Twitter gossip celebs with a side-hustle in journalism.
(I worked in SA news media for 35+ years and saw the syndrome.)