America Surrenders in the Global Information Wars
4 days ago
- #US foreign policy
- #media censorship
- #authoritarian regimes
- The U.S. has historically supported programs like the Open Technology Fund and foreign broadcasters (e.g., Radio Free Europe, Voice of America) to provide uncensored, evidence-based news to people in repressive regimes.
- Under the Trump administration, funding and support for these programs are being cut, with accusations of waste and foreign influence, leading to legal battles and operational challenges.
- The Global Engagement Center (GEC), which countered foreign propaganda, was defunded and dismantled, with false claims it censored Americans, benefiting autocratic regimes like China and Russia.
- Chinese and Russian state media are filling the void left by U.S. broadcasters, expanding their influence in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its affiliates are also under attack, accused of being CIA fronts, despite their bipartisan support and transparency efforts.
- The cuts to these programs undermine U.S. soft power, aid authoritarian regimes, and reduce global access to independent journalism, with long-term consequences for democracy and national security.
- Congress has the power to restore funding and resist the administration's dismantling of these critical programs, reaffirming U.S. commitment to free speech and countering authoritarian propaganda.