Mason City newspaper Twitter account reinstated after being briefly suspended
Credit: MGN
(ABC 6 News) – The Twitter account of the Globe Gazette, a 165-year-old Mason City daily newspaper, has been reinstated after being briefly suspended.
According to tweets by Lisa Grouette, a news and photo editor at the newspaper, the Twitter account was suspended on Tuesday, Mar. 14 with no reason given.
Hey @twitter and @elonmusk, my newspaper's account @globegazette is suspended for no apparent reason. We don't spam and we don't promote harmful or hateful speech. I have appealed, but we need this remedied right away. Please help!! pic.twitter.com/2eDuRprbGT
— Lisa Grouette (@LisaGrouette) March 14, 2023
A tweet from Grounette the following day said the newspaper’s account had been “permanently suspended.” She tweeted that she appealed the suspension and that it was “concerning” because they had not broken any rules.
Ok @TwitterSupport, now it says @globegazette is PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED. We have not broken any Twitter rules. I have appealed, but I need advisement on this right away. We can't even create a new account to share news stories. We are a 165-year-old newspaper. This is concerning. https://t.co/FGbe88AfQQ pic.twitter.com/5oheU7yH3t
— Lisa Grouette (@LisaGrouette) March 15, 2023
The suspended account even got the attention of Iowa lawmakers. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted Friday morning “not sure why Mason City Globe Gazette newspaper is suspended on Twitter. I assume in error, but free speech means free speech for all. Elon Musk, please unban.”
Not sure why Mason City Globe Gazette newspaper is suspended on Twitter / I assume in error but free speech means free speech for all @elonmusk pls unban
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) March 17, 2023
Rep. Ashley Hinson tweeted on Thursday evening, “Elon Musk, why was the Globe Gazette (a 165 year old newspaper in IA-02) account permanently suspended? Unacceptable – unlock their account now.”
.@elonmusk — why was the @globegazette’s (a 165 year old newspaper in IA-02) account permanently suspended? Unacceptable — unlock their account now. https://t.co/uAY1B4iQ76
— Ashley Hinson (@RepAshleyHinson) March 16, 2023
The Globe Gazette was reinstated to Twitter sometime early Friday afternoon.