Deep Dive
Why did the U.S. government start actively involving itself in internet censorship?
The U.S. government began actively involving itself in internet censorship in 2014 with the Ukraine protests and the subsequent coup and counter-coup. The government realized that free speech on the internet was undermining their media influence in regions like eastern Ukraine, leading to the development of the Gerasimov Doctrine, which aimed to control civilian elections through media dominance, primarily on social media.
How did the U.S. government historically promote free speech around the world?
The U.S. government promoted free speech globally through various programs and initiatives, starting with CIA proprietaries like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe in the post-World War II era. These efforts continued through the Cold War and into the privatization of the internet in 1991, where the State Department and military promoted free speech to pressure foreign countries to open up their internet access, allowing U.S.-supported groups to combat state control over media.
What role did the 2016 election play in the development of internet censorship infrastructure?
The 2016 election, where Trump won and Brexit passed, was a turning point that led to the formalization of internet censorship infrastructure. The Global Engagement Center pivoted from counterterrorism to counterpopulism, arguing that right-wing populist governments were a threat to the rules-based international order. This pivot was authorized by NATO in July 2016, adding hybrid warfare to its charter, which included controlling tweets as part of military strategy.
How did the Disinformation Governance Board impact the perception of government censorship?
The Disinformation Governance Board, announced in April 2022, sparked significant backlash and congressional activity, leading to greater public awareness and scrutiny of government censorship efforts. This backlash was crucial in breaking the Republican Party's denial of government censorship and initiating congressional hearings and the release of the Twitter files, which exposed the extent of government involvement in censoring social media content.
What is the significance of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the censorship industry?
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a key player in the censorship industry, acting as a CIA cutout that funds and coordinates various media and civil society organizations globally. NED was created in 1983 to continue the CIA's work covertly, avoiding the public backlash from the 1960s and 1970s. It has since become a central funding and coordination body for censorship efforts, working with media, universities, and NGOs to shape public opinion and control narratives.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic serve as a proof of concept for internet censorship?
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a proof of concept for internet censorship by allowing the government and tech companies to test and implement censorship measures under the guise of protecting public health. The pandemic created a consensus among the public and media that certain narratives, such as those questioning the efficacy of vaccines or lockdowns, were dangerous misinformation. This environment allowed for the large-scale implementation of censorship technologies and strategies without significant public resistance.
What is the 'whole of society' approach in countering disinformation?
The 'whole of society' approach in countering disinformation is a strategy that involves collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, and media to create a comprehensive censorship framework. This approach aims to avoid the appearance of top-down control by using government funding and coordination while leveraging the credibility of civil society organizations. It involves four quadrants: government, private sector, civil society, and media, all working together to identify and censor misinformation.
How does the U.S. government use energy geopolitics to influence foreign policy?
The U.S. government uses energy geopolitics to influence foreign policy by leveraging control over energy resources to exert soft power and economic influence. For example, the U.S. has sought to undermine Russia's energy influence in Europe by promoting alternative energy sources, such as those in Ukraine, and by imposing sanctions on Russian energy exports. This strategy aims to weaken Russia's economy and military capabilities, thereby enhancing U.S. and NATO influence in the region.
What is the significance of the Atlantic Council in the censorship industry?
The Atlantic Council is significant in the censorship industry as NATO's think tank, with seven CIA directors on its board and annual funding from the Pentagon, State Department, and National Endowment for Democracy. It has been involved in training journalists and fact-checkers to identify and censor disinformation, particularly targeting right-wing populist narratives. The Atlantic Council's Digital Forensics Research Lab was one of the earliest entities to engage in internet censorship, setting the stage for the broader censorship infrastructure we see today.
How does the U.S. government justify its involvement in censoring social media content?
The U.S. government justifies its involvement in censoring social media content by framing it as necessary to protect democracy from demagoguery and to defend democratic institutions from populist threats. They argue that democracy requires institutional guardrails to prevent people from voting for the 'wrong' person, such as Hitler or Trump. This justification allows the government to censor content that undermines the consensus of institutions, which they view as the true essence of democracy.
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