Elon Musk’s Latest Proposal: A Website Named ‘Pravda’ to Rate Media Credibility

[polychronopolous]

Tesla CEO in tweetstorm lashes out against media coverage, calling it biased



By Tim Higgins
May 23, 2018 7:05 p.m. ET

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, unhappy with media coverage of Tesla Inc., TSLA -0.44% said he plans to create a Yelp.com -like site to let people rate the credibility of journalists and news organizations, and suggested he would name it after the former Soviet Union’s main propaganda outlet.

The Tesla chief executive, who frequently issues provocative comments on Twitter , made the proposal in a tweetstorm against the media Wednesday, after reports in recent weeks about Tesla’s struggles to increase production of its Model 3 sedan, questions about working conditions at its factories, and government investigations into the safety of its Autopilot driver-assistance system.

Mr. Musk said coverage is driven by reporters under pressure to “get max clicks” and is biased because of advertising by other auto makers and oil companies.



Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
 The holier-than-thou hypocrisy of big media companies who lay claim to the truth, but publish only enough to sugarcoat the lie, is why the public no longer respects them https://twitter.com/electrekco/status/999318852365303808 …

1:25 PM - May 23, 2018
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“The holier-than-thou hypocrisy of big media companies who lay claim to the truth, but publish only enough to sugarcoat the lie, is why the public no longer respects them,” he said in a message on Twitter a little before noon in San Francisco.

“Going to create a site where the public can rate the core truth of any article & track the credibility score over time of each journalist, editor & publication,” he added. “Thinking of calling it Pravda …”

Pravda is the name of the Communist Party’s official newspaper in the former Soviet Union.

Mr. Musk has a long history of posting proclamations on Twitter whose seriousness isn’t necessarily self-evident. On April Fools’ Day this year, he joked about Tesla going bankrupt, then clarified that he really didn’t mean it. He recently vowed to start a candy company in response to a comment about him by Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathway Inc. owns See’s Candies.

Previously, Mr. Musk talked about founding a company to drill tunnels to alleviate traffic congestion, which some observers at the time interpreted as a joke. He now heads a tunneling business called the Boring Co.

A Tesla spokesman didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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Either way, his latest idea reflects Musk’s penchant for publicly battling media outlets, analysts, and investors who raise questions about his business.

His latest comments were prompted by an analyst note on Wednesday that suggested coverage of Tesla had reached a “peak in negative coverage/sentiment” and that the company’s shares should rise as Model 3 production improved. Tesla shares rose 1.5% on Wednesday, leaving them down about 10% so far this year.

Mr. Musk’s proposal triggered criticism and praise, with some comparing his dislike of the media to that of President Donald Trump. Among those endorsing his tweets was President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. , who retweeted the message: “This ... So True!!!”

One journalist retweeted Mr. Musk’s comments with a link to a California filing for a business incorporated last October called Pravda Corp., involving a person connected with other Musk ventures. “Er, he’s not kidding,” wrote the journalist, Mark Harris.

Mr. Musk replied with a “hugging face” emoji.

Write to Tim Higgins at Tim.Higgins@WSJ.com

https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-latest-proposal-a-website-named-pravda-to-rate-media-credibility-1527116737

[IroNat]

The end is nigh.

[polychronopolous]

The end is nigh.

I envision a platform where the mainstream media become the hunted rather than the hunters.

Every clip or article is reviewed and criticized, loosely along the lines of yelp.

As much as I have expressed my doubts concerning Tesla, the fact still remains that Elon Musk is a brilliant man with powerful connections and a very well connected feverish base to connect into. The recent polls highlighting the distrust people have towards the media.

"The end is nigh" - I think you are right on target. Just look at the blowback by the media in reaction to this announcement. The exact way they would react if they knew the light might be shined right upon their asses very quickly.

[polychronopolous]

self serving twaddle

Compared to the Democrat playbook which is roll through every 4 years into impoverished neighborhoods. Give an empty 10 minute speech with promises they will never keep. Order some "to go" food from the local diner(which they throw out the window of their limousine minutes later) and head back to their gated, segregated communities.

[Irongrip400]

The end is nigh.

Not sure what you mean, as Dos took it differently than I did, but if you're saying the end is nigh for Tesla and Musk, I'd say you're probably right. He better get his ass in gear and build some cars or he's fucked. Proper.

[sync pulse]

Jeremy Clarkson had a few things to say about Elon Musk and the Tesla...Clarkson is spot on with Elon...Petulant and throws a temper tantrum when someone he can't fire talks back to him.

[Primemuscle]

Jeremy Clarkson had a few things to say about Elon Musk and the Tesla...Clarkson is spot on with Elon...Petulant and throws a temper tantrum when someone he can't fire talks back to him.

Geniuses....can't live with them and can't live without them. It's a conundrum.

[SOMEPARTS]

The guy has businesses that aren't solvent without millions and millions in govt intervention....last person I can imagine to head up anything like that.

[Mobil]

I envision a platform where the mainstream media become the hunted rather than the hunters.

Every clip or article is reviewed and criticized, loosely along the lines of yelp.

As much as I have expressed my doubts concerning Tesla, the fact still remains that Elon Musk is a brilliant man with powerful connections and a very well connected feverish base to connect into. The recent polls highlighting the distrust people have towards the media.

"The end is nigh" - I think you are right on target. Just look at the blowback by the media in reaction to this announcement. The exact way they would react if they knew the light might be shined right upon their asses very quickly.

amen... we need to hold these people accountable for their "FACTS".. why are they so upset? if they are producing FACTS to the public, they shouldnt be worried.

[Straw Man]

This imaginary site would have the spend the entire day every day just correcting every false claim on Fox News