(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 10, 2019 the Twitter logo is seen on a phone in this photo illustration in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)
It is to be expected that there will be pushback from Twitter’s decision to charge companies, government entities and non-profit organisations R18 100 a month to get its official seal of approval.
However, anyone complaining should be realistic: Twitter may be a platform for vacuous or even toxic exchanges, but it is still a business … and new owner Elon Musk is a veteran at extracting money from hype.
To think you can use Twitter to promote your business for profit is not realistic. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else to do your marketing.
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It is to be welcomed that the digital “something for nothing” model – which has devastated existing businesses, like newspapers – is getting a long-overdue reality check.
However, we do think Twitter needs to reconsider levying the same sort of charges on non-profit entities, such as charities. As long as they are genuine, let them use the space for free.
It is also a concern that important public communications channels, such as the Eskom and Joburg City Power accounts – vital sources of information in these dark times – will cost even more of customer and taxpayer money to continue operating.
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Maybe Musk should introduce a “basket case” reduced fee for them …