CBS News resumed posting on Twitter Sunday after announcing the network would pause its activity on the platform two days earlier “out of an abundance of caution” as the social media company moves through an intense period of change under its new owner Elon Musk.
“After pausing for much of the weekend to assess the security concerns, CBS News and Stations is resuming its activity on Twitter as we continue to monitor the situation,” the networks communications team tweeted Sunday morning.
CBS News reporter Jonathan Vigliotti said Friday that the network would cease sharing content on Twitter out of “uncertainty” of how the platform would perform after thousands of employees had either been forced out or chosen to resign instead of continuing to work under Musk.
Variety reports the news outlet had expressed concern about Twitter’s critical functions breakdown and if the platform would be susceptible to hacking attacks.
Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald mocked the network after reversing its decision in less than 48 hours.
CBS News has decided it's once again safe to use Twitter – but only for the moment!
They are continuing to "assess security concerns" and "monitor the situation."
If there are more outbreaks of free speech or hearing from people journalists dislike, they may retreat again. https://t.co/o0ZtgFshCk
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 20, 2022
“CBS News has decided it’s once again safe to use Twitter – but only for the moment!” he said. “They are continuing to ‘assess security concerns’ and ‘monitor the situation.’ If there are more outbreaks of free speech or hearing from people journalists dislike, they may retreat again.”
Since acquiring Twitter last month, Musk has eliminated senior management officials, dubbed himself CEO, and dismissed more than half of the company’s staff.
Following significant changes made by Musk, hundreds of employees at Twitter reportedly resigned from the company last week after the new CEO demanded that to stay at the company, they would need to commit to “extremely hardcore” working conditions.
Reports from former employees, legacy media outlets, and leftist politicians about how Musk would transform the platform swayed multiple advertisers to freeze ad spending on Twitter.
Musk remains optimistic, reporting user activity has hit an “all-time high.”
Leftists and anti-Trumpers were outraged over the weekend after Musk reinstated the Twitter account of former President Donald Trump, who officials under the platform’s old guard banned in January 2021 after an unruly mob breached the U.S. Capitol.
Musk reactivated Trump’s account after 15 million Twitter users responded to a poll asking if the ex-president should return to the platform.
The people have spoken,” Musk said in a tweet. “Trump will be reinstated.”
“Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” he added, a Latin phrase meaning “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
The people have spoken.
Trump will be reinstated.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei. https://t.co/jmkhFuyfkv
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 20, 2022