Twitter threatened with EU sanctions over journalists’ ban – Saudi Gazette

Twitter threatened with EU sanctions over journalists’ ban – Saudi Gazette

BRUSSELS — The EU has threatened Twitter owner Elon Musk with sanctions after several journalists covering the company had their accounts abruptly suspended.

Reporters for the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post were among those locked out of their accounts.

EU commissioner Vera Jourova warned that the EU's Digital Services Act requires respect of media freedom.

"Elon Musk should be aware of that. There are red lines. And sanctions, soon," she tweeted.

She said: "News about arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is worrying.

"[The] EU's Digital Services Act requires respect of media freedom and fundamental rights. This is reinforced under our Media Freedom Act."

The sanctions could be applied under a new Digital Services Act, which is currently going through the EU Parliament but could be in force by next year.

Under the terms of the proposed new law, the EU Commission will be allowed to impose fines of up to 6% of the global turnover of a service provider that it finds breaks its rules.

In extreme cases the EU could ask a court to suspend a rogue service, but only if it is "refusing to comply with important obligations and thereby endangering people's life and safety".

A Twitter spokeswoman earlier told tech website The