Matt Taibbi

Rank 23 of 47
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Score 29
1/3/2024, 6:33:18 PM
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In reply to:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
14. "REMOVED SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCES": Here, a GEC aide pitches Michael Gordon - co-author with Judith Miller of a famed @nytimes WMD story - on Russia's "Pillars of Russian Disinformation," promising deep background lists of removed accounts:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
13. The press remembered civil liberties when GEC was used to flog Trump's Iran policies. But emails from America First's lawsuit show the agency pitched major media outlets on similar tales about "mouthpieces" and "proxies" of Russia or China without fear of blowback:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
12. "A FINE LINE GEC ITSELF HAS WANTED TO WALK"

The aide, who hasn't responded to request for comment, blasted the GEC official, saying the issue wasn't brainwashing, but misuse of State resources to target Americans - a line GEC "wanted to walk... not totally unfounded":
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
11. "GRAND PLAN TO 'BRAIN WASH' AMERICANS"

The GEC official pleaded with the Appropriations aide not to believe the "conspiracy narrative" that GEC is part of the "U.S. Government's grand plan" to "brain wash Americans":
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
10. "NOT THE KIND OF THING WE SHOULD... READ IN THE PRESS BEFORE WE HEAR IT FROM STATE"

The aide was clearly not amused when the "State Department troll" story broke a few days later:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
765d
9. "STORIES ABOUT GEC TARGETING AMERICANS":

Recently. we found unpublished emails about the @IranDisinfo tale while dumpster-diving in the federal FOIA portal. Here, a Democratic Senate aide grills GEC on "targeting Americans," asking if bad press lay ahead:

The statement is a series of tweets that appear to be discussing the actions and communications of the Global Engagement Center (GEC), a United States government entity. The tweets include images of email exchanges and statements that suggest the GEC was involved in media pitches and discussions about disinformation and the use of State resources. The tone of the tweets is critical and investigative, aiming to expose and question the GEC's activities and their implications for media integrity and civil liberties.

  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 with words or actions. [+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 by redacting email addresses and names where necessary. [+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 about the role of government entities in media and information dissemination. [+1]
  4. Principle 6:
    I will use my influence for the betterment of society.
    The statement seeks to correct or question potential misuse of government resources, which aligns with acknowledging and correcting mistakes. [+1]
  5. Principle 7:
    I will uphold the principles of free speech and use my platform responsibly and with integrity.
    The statement uses the platform responsibly to discuss matters of public interest and integrity, upholding the principles of free speech. [+1]