In the weeks since its formation has been mentioned, there is still very little known about the mission and operation of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Disinformation Board.”
The Board, which critics have likened to George Orwell’s “Ministry of Truth” in his novel on the dangers of authoritarian government, 1984, was announced in late April, but DHS has released few details on how the Board will function and what powers it will have.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been heavily criticized — mostly by Republicans — since the announcement of the Board’s formation, which is officially known as the “Disinformation Governance Board.” It does sound rather Orwellian!
Republican members of Congress have already called for the Board to be disbanded. Some civil liberties advocates also worry that the group could violate freedom of speech.
With disinformation campaigns working to shape opinions on issues ranging from the war in Ukraine to the presidential election in the United States, the rocky start for the Board may undermine its effectiveness and hurt the efforts to staunch the harm that false narratives can cause.
“It is just an episodic failure,” said Brian Murphy, a former director of Homeland Security’s intelligence arm, of the Board’s launch. “And it has set the true disinformation professionals, wherever they live, back.”
Testifying before Congress on Wednesday, Mayorkas said the Board would examine how DHS currently counters disinformation and make sure the agency “does not infringe on freedom of speech, rights of privacy, civil rights and civil liberties.” DHS already has an office of civil rights and civil liberties.
“It is going to establish what should have been established years ago: standards, definitions, guidelines, and policies,” he said.
However, the Board’s bungled rollout could also hurt existing efforts to identify and stop foreign disinformation campaigns, which have been labeled a national security threat by both Republican and Democratic administrations.
To date, DHS has not provided Congress with detailed written plans on the objectives of the Board or how it intends to carry out its mission beyond a summary the department sent to Capitol Hill on Apr. 27, the same day DHS publicly announced the creation of the Board.
The Board’s creation spurred outrage across social media, with dozens of conservative pundits and Republican politicians dubbing it the “Ministry of Truth,” a reference to the government agency responsible for creating propaganda in George Orwell’s novel “1984.” The term “Ministry of Truth” trended on Twitter for hours last week.
Trying to tamp down concerns about “thought police,” Mayorkas said in a television interview on CNN on May 1 that “we in the Department of Homeland Security don’t monitor American citizens.”
But, in fact, DHS does just that. The sprawling department, which was initially created in response to the security failures leading up to the Sept. 11 attacks, has broad authorities to track and collect data on American citizens, and it has repeatedly been accused of misusing those powers.
Very interesting details you have noted, thanks for posting.
I think the admin of this web page is really working hard in favor of his web page, as here every material is quality based material.
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and
starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
There is no entity on earth that puts out more disinformation than the US Govt. And they have doubled down since Capt. Corn Pop took over.
I wish nato would give us money to help us with our border crisis, our president is such a crooked piece of shit, we need help.86/46 Joe fuckhead Biden
Hеy! Wouuld you mind if I share your blog with mу myspace ցroup?
There’s a lot of folks tһat I think would really аppreciate your content.
Pleaѕe let mme know. Many thanks
my website – main gbo4D
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same
niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
I am waiting for all of the Biden Administration, Biden, his wife, Hillary, Soros, the Obama’s, and half of Congress to be arrested permanently for all of the treason and corruption. I don’t get why they are allowed to continue their inhumane actions.
I’ve learn some just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much attempt you place to create such a magnificent informative website.
I know this site presents quality depending articles and additional data, is
there any other web page which presents these
kinds of stuff in quality?
I every time emailed this blog post page to all my contacts, for the
reason that if like to read it after that my friends
will too.
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.
I savour, result in I found just what I used to
be having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I
come across a blog that’s both educative and amusing, and let
me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something
concerning this.
Howdy very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also? I’m glad to
find numerous useful info here within the post,
we need work out more techniques in this regard, thank you
for sharing. . . . . .
You are so cool! I do not think I’ve read through anything like that
before. So nice to find someone with unique thoughts on this subject.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit
of originality!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about free sexting.
Regards
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest blogs
on the web. I am going to highly recommend this site!
certainly like your web site however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the truth
then again I will certainly come again again.
Magnificent website. Plenty of useful information here.
I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally
sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your sweat!
For most recent information you have to visit internet and on web I found this website as a finest site for newest updates.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really
well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
of course like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your
posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform
the reality nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again.
It’s awesome for me to have a web page, which is good designed for my know-how.
thanks admin
I blog often and I seriously appreciate your content.
Your article has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website
and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as
well.
I think the admin of this site is really working hard in support of his web site, as here every data
is quality based information.
Simply want to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i
could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me
to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep
up the gratifying work.
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article. I like to write a little comment
to support you.
What’s up to all, since I am in fact keen of reading this blog’s post to be updated regularly.
It includes pleasant data.
If you desire to increase your knowledge simply keep
visiting this web site and be updated with the most
recent information posted here.
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.
It is truly a great and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this useful info with
us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I like reading an article that can make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Hi colleagues, pleasant paragraph and nice urging commented here, I am genuinely
enjoying by these.
This is the perfect site for anybody who hopes to understand this topic.
You realize so much its almost tough to
argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put
a fresh spin on a subject that’s been written about for decades.
Wonderful stuff, just excellent!