The advent of mass communications through multiple channels, including internet, satellite radio and other means, has made it harder for governments to censor news that leaders do not want their populations to access.
Officials seeking to limit news to their citizenry have been forced to find other methods to combat unwanted information. A key solution they are resorting to is through the implementation of “anti-disinformation” campaigns.
While one would have assumed that this tactic was restricted to the usual suspects, nations such as Russia, China, Iran or North Korea, the reality is that even the United States, globally renowned for its unique First Amendment guarantee of free speech, is falling victim to the disturbing trend.
America’s Homeland Security Department’s “Disinformation Governance Board” (DGB)is a key example. The name has already been mocked due to its initials which are similar to the old Soviet “KGB,” which ruthlessly suppressed political dissent in the former USSR.
According to a release, “The working group is co-chaired by the DHS Office of Policy and Office of the General Counsel, and includes other DHS leaders from CISA, FEMA, CBP, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Science and Technology Directorate, and Privacy Office.”
The actual purpose of this move, which has been justifiably been called unconstitutional, can be seen by examining who was selected to head it. Executive director Nina Jankowicz is a deeply partisan politico who has been a leading spokesperson for some of the worst propaganda moves by leftist Democrats. She was part of an effort to coverup the Hunter Biden Laptop story.
Ms. Jankowiscz was a leading advocate of the demonstrably false charges of “Russian Collusion” with Donald Trump.
The timing of this censorship effort is highly suspect. The social media Twitter cite played a key role in the last election, by not only censoring specific news stories that discussed the wrongdoings of leading Democrats, but by also closing down the accounts of major news sources that discussed them. The New York Post’s coverage of the Hunter Laptop is a key example.
While allowing noted terrorists to use their service, Twitter censored the account of Donald Trump. It’s not just limited to big names. Non-leftist users find many of their contacts deleted after posting tweets that do not dovetail with the organization’s left-wing philosophy. Another social media giant, Facebook, places users “in jail,” temporarily banning or limiting their accounts, for similar reasons. One of the most popular search engines intentionally downplays websites that
The overwhelming capability of these services to black out contrary views was challenged when Elon Musk began the process of purchasing a controlling share of Twitter. The establishment of the Disinformation Board was a direct result.
The development of the DGB, led by the deeply partisan Ms, Jankowicz, sends a clear message: the power of the federal government will be used to suppress those who dissent from the views of leftist Democrats.
It is a follow-up to efforts by the former Obama-Biden Administration. That White House used the IRS to assault the Tea Party. The Department of Justice attacked critics of the president, which issued subpoenas to think tanks for merely disagreeing with Obama on climate change. The Federal Communications Commission attempted to commence an effort entitled “critical information needs” (known as CIN) involving Washington oversight of broadcasters and journalists throughout America. It would have placed government employees in the private internal conversations and meetings of journalists, media organizations, and even internet sites.
The DGB is part of the larger Progressive attempt to shut down opposing arguments, an attempt that often involves violence and threats of violence. Examples of that are clearly seen on college campuses, where conservative speakers are chased out with force, and in the urgings of some elected officials such as Rep, Maxine Waters, (D-Ca.) who called on followers to confront Trump appointees.
All of these efforts are a direct assault on the First Amendment.
Photo: Nina Jankowicz