Donie O’Sullivan’s suspension from Twitter has sparked uproar online, as CNN are now requesting an explanation from the social media platform.
The Kerry native, who has worked for CNN since 2016, had his Twitter account suspended on Thursday night, along with a number of other journalists’, after reporting on the controversies surrounding new Twitter boss Elon Musk.
The Tesla founder stated that Twitter’s rule which bans doxxing – which is the sharing of personal information – applies to everyone on the social media platform, including journalists.
Following the suspensions, Elon tweeted: “Any account doxxing real-time location info of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation.”
“This includes posting links to sites with real-time location info. Posting locations someone travelled to on a slightly delayed basis isn’t a safety problem, so is ok.”
Speaking on CNN about why he had his account suspended, Donie said: “We reported on Elon Musk. We were talking about the world’s second richest man who runs Twitter.”
“He has been annoyed that there’s been this account – that’s been active for years now – which tracks the movements of his private jet. So we reported how yesterday he shut that account down and tonight we continued to report on it.”
Irish journalist Donie O’Sullivan has been suspended off twitter, along with other journos. I expect to see #IrishTwitter trending today and an entire country losing their accounts. That’s bad craic 🤨 pic.twitter.com/GiFQE8RIcO
— Brenda Gough 🧙♀️🖕 (@BelfastBre) December 16, 2022
In response to Donie’s suspension, CNN released a statement which read: “The impulsive and unjustified suspension of a number of reporters, including Donie O’Sullivan, is concerning but not surprising.”
“Twitter’s increasing instability and volatility should be of incredible concern for everyone who uses the platform.”
“We have asked Twitter for an explanation, and we will re-evaluate our relationship based on that response.”
Statement on tonight’s suspension of CNN’s @donie O’Sullivan: pic.twitter.com/TQGsysxvpf
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) December 16, 2022
Donie’s Twitter suspension has sparked uproar amongst users, with one writing: “Not our Donie!!!! Ireland RAGING. Christmas ruined #IrishTwitter.”
A second said: “CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan suspended from Twitter. The lights are going out,” and a third wrote: “Ahhhh wee @donie has been suspended by that @elonmusk eejit. Picking fights with the Irish… risky move.”
Meanwhile, Dara Ó Briain also tweeted: “Jesus, @donie has been suspended. This place is really going to s**t.”
Jesus, @donie has been suspended. This place is really going to shit.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) December 16, 2022
Elon, who is the wealthiest person in the world, reached an agreement to acquire the social media platform back in April.
However, back in July it was reported that Twitter had opted to sue the business mogul after he had pulled out of the multi-billion-dollar takeover.
But in October, Elon tweeted, “the bird is freed,” and changed his bio to read “Chief Twit”, signifying his purchase of Twitter.
Donie O’Sullivan shot to fame last January after he impressed CNN viewers with his calm reporting during the Capitol Hill riots in Washington D.C.
The Kerry man’s newfound fame on social media was covered by multiple outlets in Ireland, and he subsequently made an appearance on The Late Late Show.
