CNN may be getting off Twitter.
On Thursday night, the CNN Communications account shared a statement reacting to the suspension of Donie O’Sullivan.
“The impulsive and unjustified suspension of a number of reporters, including CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, is concerning but not surprising,” it read.
The statement continued, “Twitter’s increasing instability and volatility should be of incredible concern for everyone who uses the platform.”
“We have asked Twitter for an explanation, and we will reevaluate our relationship based on that response,” the statement added as it appeared to suggest CNN might leave Twitter.
Statement on tonight's suspension of CNN's @donie O'Sullivan: pic.twitter.com/TQGsysxvpf
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) December 16, 2022
Twitter owner Elon Musk claimed the users, along with O’Sullivan, who were suspended “posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service.”
They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2022
NBC News noted it was unable to verify the claim the users shared his location information in real-time.
In a separate tweet, Musk wrote, “Criticizing me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not.”
“If anyone posted real-time locations [and] addresses of NYT reporters, FBI would be investigating, there’d be hearings on Capitol Hill [and] Biden would give speeches about end of democracy!” he argued.
If anyone posted real-time locations & addresses of NYT reporters, FBI would be investigating, there’d be hearings on Capitol Hill & Biden would give speeches about end of democracy!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2022
It’s not clear if Musk’s explanation satisfied CNN. As of Friday morning, it had not shared future plans for Twitter and it was still sharing stories on the platform.
We may see a cycle of news outlets threatening to leave Twitter and then returning. CBS News stopped posting on the platform for a weekend to “assess the security concerns” in November. Then it resumed posting on the platform.
Twitter is a private company now that the billionaire bought it. So Musk does have the ability to suspend users for whatever he wants, and he does not have to worry about the potential financial repercussions for shareholders if a major news network leaves the platform.
And if he wants to drive away certain users and companies, that is up to him. But it’s a unique strategy if his goal is to promote free speech and discussion on Twitter.
