Matt Taibbi

Rank 23 of 47
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Score 29
1/3/2024, 6:33:14 PM
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In reply to:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
7. No one really knew what GEC did, because its awards were and are kept secret. An Inspector General report in 2020 redacted all but 3 of 39 GEC contractors, but offered the helpful information that most of its money came from the Pentagon:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
6. As shown in the #TwitterFiles, GEC really never stopped targeting Russia or China. GEC sent huge lists of alleged Chinese propagandists deemed a "crock" by Twitter, while another Twitter analyst joked that if you retweet a Russian, "you become Russia-linked" to GEC:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
5. But the story was quickly reframed to focus on Trump's misuse of GEC to target Iran instead of Russia:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
4. For a brief moment, it seemed the national press would alert to the wider problem of federal bureaucracies like the State Department violating traditional bans on propagandizing Americans:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
3. Similar stories at The Intercept and Guardian ripped State's Global Engagement Center for funding @IranDisinfo, which was said to have dubbed critics of of Trump's "Maximum Pressure" policy “‘mouthpieces,’ ‘apologists,’ ‘collaborators,’ and ‘lobbyists’” of Iran:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
2. In late May and early June, 2019, a story hit the news: Donald Trump's State Department had been caught trolling people, including a Washington Post reporter, deemed insufficiently tough on Iran. Outrage was universal:

The statement is part of a public conversation about government transparency and accountability, specifically regarding the Global Engagement Center (GEC). The tone is investigative and informative, aiming to shed light on the operations and funding of the GEC. The content includes a series of tweets and images that discuss the GEC's activities, funding sources, and the perceived lack of transparency in its operations. The intent is to inform the public and encourage dialogue about the role of government agencies in disseminating information and engaging in counterpropaganda efforts.

  1. Principle 1:
    I will strive to do no harm with my words and actions.
    The statement aims to inform and does not appear to cause harm. [+1]
  2. Principle 2:
    I will respect the privacy and dignity of others and will not engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or hate speech.
    The statement respects privacy and dignity by focusing on the actions of a government agency rather than individuals. [+1]
  3. Principle 4:
    I will engage in constructive criticism and dialogue with those in disagreement and will not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments.
    The statement promotes understanding of the GEC's activities and encourages dialogue. [+1]
  4. Principle 6:
    I will use my influence for the betterment of society.
    The statement uses its influence to inform the public about government transparency. [+1]
  5. Principle 7:
    I will uphold the principles of free speech and use my platform responsibly and with integrity.
    The statement upholds the principles of free speech by sharing information obtained through FOIA requests responsibly. [+1]