Get out of line, lose your blue checkmark. Twitter has changed its verification guidelines to remove the blue "verified" status, the platform’s biggest status symbol, from users who harass others, engage in hate speech, or violate other guidelines. Alt-righters such as Richard Spencer, Charlottesville rally organizer Jason Kessler, and Baked Alaska were among the first to lose their check marks.
A British man in an In-N-Out parking lot is explaining to Baked Alaska that Twitter is a private company and is free to ban him if they want. pic.twitter.com/Kl7qL55pSp
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) November 15, 2017
Twitter just emailed me to tell me they are removing my "verified badge" because they claim my account "doesn't comply with Twitter's guidelines for verified accounts."
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 15, 2017
Translation: I'm a conservative. pic.twitter.com/F1AsxWI6Fm
Twitter and fellow tech giants Google and Facebook are throwing their weight behind a set of "trust indicators" for journalism appearing on their platforms. The disclosures will allow publishers to show information about the author and the editorial process and the type of article. Outlets such as The Washington Post and The Economist will implement the indicators this month, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Speaking of traditional media, Meredith is again trying to buy Time Inc., this time with the backing of the Koch brothers. Time Inc. publishes Time, People, Family Circle, and others.
#MediaRelations2017. After Sean Hannity gave him 24 hours to explain himself, Senate candidate Roy Moore wrote a lengthy letter to the Fox News host trying to refute allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Moore also tweeted a challenge to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- "Bring. It. On" -- which was widely mocked on Twitter because it’s also the name of a teen movie.
Referencing a high school cheerleading movie probably isn't the best idea right now, judge https://t.co/sU7nHHkSNI
— Shoshana Weissmann, Sloth Committee Chair (@senatorshoshana) November 16, 2017
The key to the Mueller investigation could be...White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, according to Politico. Hicks, who is becoming a fashion icon as well as a political operative, has "been in the room for moments critical to [Special Counsel Robert] Mueller’s probe," according to the website, which reports she’s due to be interviewed by Mueller soon.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said Time Inc. publishes Better Home and Gardens. It does not as of yet. Meredith is the magazine's publisher.
