The removal of the Blue Check system really is the end. The Blue Checks did matter. Most journalists had one. Especially the ones who were good at using Twitter when it mattered most, like on January 6th. I still think about that guy with the zip ties in his back pocket and how he was identified and arrested thanks to users on Twitter.
One of the episodes in my False Alarm! Series from 2018 imagined a future where Elon Musk stepped up to help with the News. That Algorithmic Oligarchic joke is no longer funny. On 4.20.2023 Elon Musk followed through on his threat and brought Twitter to heel.
From 2018: A handful of tech barons now own the news but only one can rule the fake news. A chat with the comedy team behind the CBC’sThis is That satirical news show turns into breaking news about Elon Musk.