NPR says goodbye to Twitter, Gwenyth Paltrow creates a trend  

NPR goes off on Twitter  

NPR called it quits with Twitter after the increasingly polarizing platform labeled the news organization as “state-affiliated media” and, after backlash, changed it to “government-funded media,” USA Today reported.  

NPR quickly responded to decry both incorrect labels, which it said made them appear to be propaganda outlets like those in Russia and China.  

pic.twitter.com/OLgOHvTlma

— NPR (@NPR) April 12, 2023

“When queried by NPR tech reporter Bobby Allyn, Twitter owner Elon Musk asked how NPR functioned. Musk allowed that he might have gotten it wrong,” according to NPR’s reporting.  

“The platform is taking actions that undermine our credibility by falsely implying that we are not editorially independent,” NPR said in a statement to USA Today.  

As a result, NPR will stop posting content to its 52 official Twitter feeds, which makes it the first big news organization to withdraw from the social platform, per the NPR article.  

“We are turning away from Twitter but not from our audiences and communities,” NPR said in a tweet.  

USA Today reported that Twitter had labeled other news outlets, including PBS and the BBC, as “government-funded media.” .  

Elon Musk said in the USA Today article that the goal is to be as “truthful and accurate as possible”.   

“We’re trying to be accurate,” Musk told USA Today.  

Why it matters: News outlets and other organizations using Twitter should keep in mind how the social media outlet is becoming an increasingly uncertain platform. Rules can change at any time, and all that matters is what Musk wants. Have an exit strategy and start telling your Twitter followers about the other places where they can find you. 

Americans aren’t buying into electric vehicles  

A Gallup poll shows that a lot of Americans are not quite ready to buckle down and purchase electric vehicles. Only 4% presently own an electric vehicle and 12% are thinking of buying one. However, 39% say electric vehicles improve climate change somewhat.  

“While EVs are significantly more expensive than conventional vehicles to purchase, proponents say the long-term savings on fuel and less upkeep of electric vehicles make them a better choice financially,” the survey notes. “In addition to cost, proponents of EVs say they help with climate change because they do not emit greenhouse gases and pollutants to the same degree that gas vehicles do.”  

The survey adds that while the widespread EV message is that they are often shown as a significant tool to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and address the impact of climate change, “the public remains largely unconvinced that the use of EVs accomplishes this aim.”  

 Why it matters: If the current messaging isn’t working, communicators in the EV space need to find new avenues to convince and persuade, or else find other benefits to tout.  

Strategic messaging that demonstrates how EVs are more economical and cost-effective over the long run than a gasoline-powered cars should be considered for budget-conscious consumers. 

Gwenyth Paltrow makes a fashionable scene in court  

Gwenyth Paltrow has seemingly built an even bigger fashion following with her “courtcore” looks and accessories, creating a deeply favorable public perception even while in court over a ski altercation, according to a New York Times article.   

At the celebrity ski trial of the century, Gwyneth Paltrow has debuted “a new style subgenre that ought henceforth to be known as courtcore,” the fashion critic Vanessa Friedman writes. It may be more precedent setting than you might think. https://t.co/QssA8PPSx9 pic.twitter.com/UlCHVB2Lni

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 30, 2023

Courtcore, coined by the New York Times’ resident critic Vanessa Friedman, is defined as a type of chic, streamlined look with court-conscious threads.  

“A niche set of sartorial choices that can be found in celebrity-centric trials like Paltrow’s or in the realm of popular culture,” Mashable adds. “And while Paltrow’s trial may have spurned the term, the concept is not new. How people – especially women – dress in the halls of a courtroom and in the presence of the law has captured public interest before.”  

https://www.tiktok.com/@tiniestskirt/video/7214596793462443269

Paltrow, described as dressing “brilliantly,” wore outfits that gave her a sleek, sophisticated look complemented by many of her own brands.  

Why it matters: Paltrow’s looks for the courtroom were an artfully curated outfit selection that is stirring up the internet and making a strong impression – aided by the fact that she was victorious in the trial. Dressing in ways that draw attention and admiration is a PR move that can make a person look innocent (or guilty) in the eyes of the court and the public.  

Blue Lagoon gets mixed messages  

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions, known for its stunning blue spring waters. Now, though, it’s drawing controversy over whether or not to dip one’s head in the warm water for fear of brittle hair, Yahoo! News reported.  

While the Blue Lagoon staff suggest people put a conditioner on their heads to keep any negative effects at bay, some people are ignoring any hair care advice and show the results of their difficult-to-manage hair after going for a dip.  

The high silica levels in the lagoon’s waters can lead to stiff hair prone to breakage The Blue Lagoon is going viral on social media as many tourists ignore the advice to not dunk their heads in the water for the shock value with likes, comments, shares and more.

@marissa.carlino

After putting a deep conditioner in for 6 hours and 3 washes, it’s almost back to normal!! #bluelagoon #iceland #reykjavik #dryhair #fypシ

♬ Oh No (Instrumental) – Kreepa

Marissa Carlino posted that it was a difficult process to get her hair to return to normal after several washes and it becoming a multi-hour process.

Commenter Nia responded: “This is the third video that I’ve seen of someone going into the blue lagoon with their hair down I’m convinced nobody reads the signs.”

Why it matters: The Blue Lagoon has gotten some mixed press over this hair debacle and despite their helpful tips about how to prep your hair before going in, people will ultimately do what they want to do. While the Blue Lagoon has not straightforwardly commented on public reactions and social media comments about brittle hair, more direct responses would have been welcome.

Overall, a good PR lesson here is taking some “negative” press for brands and creating how-tos and videos about the right way to use their product.

Use social media comments and videos in response as a method to create more how-to content and even have fun with this opportunity. Don’t let opportunities like this pass you by but let them be an entryway for more positive communications to get a larger audience connected and look into what the fuss is all about. 

Who’s booking their next trip to the Blue Lagoon with me?