Last week I wrote about Tesla and Space X owner Elon Musk’s Twitter attack on big media. Here’s a sample of that in case you missed it:

Thought you’d say that. Anytime anyone criticizes the media, the media shrieks “You’re just like Trump!” Why do you think he got elected in the first place? Because no ones believes you any more. You lost your credibility a long time ago. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2018

Over the weekend, Musk continued with his plan of creating a new media criticism site called Pravda. He promised it was going to help journalism:

Problem solved, was able to buy https://t.co/ivSUwPqsDT! Game on … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 25, 2018

This is going to help journalism, not harm it. Please be so kind as to hold your fire until you actually see it. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 25, 2018

Of course! (Prav)Duh. It is named after the most pernicious propaganda machine in history specifically to highlight what we want to avoid. It’s called “satire” … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 25, 2018

Musk did praise some news outlets including Consumer Reports which recently withheld its recommendation for his Model 3 over poor braking (Consumer Reports gave the Model S its highest rating ever):

Generally higher quality reporting, especially if not under pressure to publish fast. Consumer Reports is great (and often critical of Tesla). Heard good things about The Information too. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 26, 2018

Musk also attacked anyone criticizing the idea of public critique of journalists (his idea for Pravda) as having contempt for the public:

The arguments journos are using against the public are word for word the same arguments despots use against democracy — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 26, 2018

Yeah, that’s exactly right. But after suggesting public critique, I was stunned to see the level of contempt many in media have for their readers. This is way worse than I thought. https://t.co/NMAks4jrZ1 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 26, 2018

Finally, Musk got into a back-and-forth argument with an NBC reporter who wanted him to come visit a newsroom:

You really think I haven’t spent time in a newsroom? I’ve spent time in too many. Bleak. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2018

You’re welcome to come by SpaceX, but please stop assuming I’m against all journalists. This is not true. Something needs to be done to improve public trust in media. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2018

You’re missing the point & living in a bubble of self-righteous sanctimony. The public doesn’t trust you. This was true *before* the last election & only got worse. Don’t believe me? Run your own poll … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2018

You’re right. These guys can buzzkill themselves (pun intended). Signing off … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2018

But before he signed off, Musk offered a standard claim people on the left often make about corporate control of the media:

Who do you think *owns* the press? Hello. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2018

Musk was obviously talking about “powerful people” but Ben Collins implied he meant Jewish people. This exchange really does sum up one of the problems with the media, i.e. hacks looking to turn every innocuous statement into racial clickbait.

Pointing out to aspiring journo & Rodin spokesmodel, Josh Top, who thinks public polls are controlled by “powerful people” that the media is *owned* by same. Anyone who thought this was anti-Semitic is just revealing their inner bigot. The context is very clear. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 28, 2018

When I wrote about Musk’s idea last week I said I didn’t think it would work. But even if it won’t work, it’s still instructive how angry many in the media have become at Musk for suggesting they need improvement. They are reacting to his Pravda idea like vampires to garlic. What are they so worried about?

Musk does have one important supporter though:

I agree with @elonmusk that the media should be held accountable to tell the truth. Many reporters are honost but Fake news outlets like Hollywood Reporter should not be spreading lies. Go Elon! — stan lee (@TheRealStanLee) May 27, 2018

‘Nuff said.