A New Center for Global Engagement

The US State department just got serious about combating disinformation on social media with a new Center. The Global Engagment Center is what our Federal Government envision's as a "good idea." Combating disinformation with more disinformation. Sure, what could possible go wrong?

We'll definitely be watching at Disinfo.com

The State department is revamping its counter-extremist communications efforts through a new Global Engagement Center. Michael D. Lumpkin has been appointed as the Director of the new center by the State Department.

Michael D. Lumpkin, a US Navy Seal, was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-intensity Conflict, a Senate confirmed position. Lumpkin’s duties as Assistant Secretary of Defense included: counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, information operations, and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The new Global Engagement Center will focus more on “empowering and enabling partners, governmental and non-governmental, who are able to speak out against these groups and provide an alternative to ISIL’s nihilistic vision.” The Engagement Center will offer services ranging from planning thematic social media campaigns, to providing factual information that counters disinformation, building capacity for third parties to effectively utilize social media, and research and evaluation.

The video from Assad puts the whole thing into context very nicely IMO.

a reply to: ATSmediaPRO


I couldn't resist.

Sounds like a fun job really, once you can get past all that "lying for my government" part of it. Seems like we have lots of candidates for positions there, who have been training for years.

Scary stuff. The last half of this decade is going to be interesting, to say the least.

originally posted by: ATSmediaPRO

The US State department just got serious about combating disinformation on social media with a new Center. The Global Engagment Center is what our Federal Government envision's as a "good idea." Combating disinformation with more disinformation. Sure, what could possible go wrong?

We'll definitely be watching at Disinfo.com

The State department is revamping its counter-extremist communications efforts through a new Global Engagement Center. Michael D. Lumpkin has been appointed as the Director of the new center by the State Department.

Michael D. Lumpkin, a US Navy Seal, was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-intensity Conflict, a Senate confirmed position. Lumpkin’s duties as Assistant Secretary of Defense included: counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, information operations, and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The new Global Engagement Center will focus more on “empowering and enabling partners, governmental and non-governmental, who are able to speak out against these groups and provide an alternative to ISIL’s nihilistic vision.” The Engagement Center will offer services ranging from planning thematic social media campaigns, to providing factual information that counters disinformation, building capacity for third parties to effectively utilize social media, and research and evaluation.

The video from Assad puts the whole thing into context very nicely IMO.

[/qalone

They're trying and that means they will probably leave me alone to work on a similar project, perfect.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Correct me if I am mistaken but, this is exactly the sort of thing I have been so concerned about with net neutrality and the handing of authority over internet content to the FCC and FEC.

internet trolling indeed. This new agency may make it impossible to have any kind of rational debates on serious topics very soon.

a reply to: greencmp

This has nothing to do with net neutrality, which has nothing to do with Internet content.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
a reply to: greencmp

This has nothing to do with net neutrality, which has nothing to do with Internet content.

Thanks for clarifying, are you saying they won't have any authority over internet content?

If it really is just an openly declared counter propaganda campaign, why not just leave that to the CIA and do it secretly?

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
a reply to: greencmp

This has nothing to do with net neutrality, which has nothing to do with Internet content.

DBL

Propagandas most frequent face is self censorship.
Getting the public to censor their own speech.
For some vague greater good or something.















The modern approach isn't that much different.









A reader who has something to say should say it.


Mike Grouchy

originally posted by: greencmp
Thanks for clarifying, are you saying they won't have any authority over internet content?

Net neutrality ensures all sources of content are treated equally by Internet access providers.

This issue is very different, and follows in the footsteps of legislation a couple years back legalizing the use of propaganda on American citizens.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord

originally posted by: greencmp
Thanks for clarifying, are you saying they won't have any authority over internet content?

Net neutrality ensures all sources of content are treated equally by Internet access providers.

This issue is very different, and follows in the footsteps of legislation a couple years back legalizing the use of propaganda on American citizens.

Hmm, it can't be a coincidence that I just watched an extensive interview on C-SPAN about the BBG (Broadcasting Board of Governors, Voice of America).

Communicators with John Lansing

In it, he explains that they used to be forbidden to broadcast to the American public because of propaganda concerns and that that is now changing.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord

This issue is very different, and follows in the footsteps of legislation a couple years back legalizing the use of propaganda on American citizens.

Many threads discussing that for anyone who needs to be filled in. I always make sure to bring it up when I can.

This unfortunately will not be limited to the internet and social media, but very likely news print, magazines, and television broadcasts as well.

a reply to: ATSmediaPRO

Honestly, this reads like a very expensive job posting for a professional database developer.

The Global Engagement Center will employ a strategy defined by:

• Drawing upon data and metrics to develop, test, and evaluate themes, messages, and messengers;
• Building narratives around thematic campaigns on the misdeeds of our enemy (e.g., poor governance, abuse of women, narratives of defectors), not the daily news cycle;
• Focusing on driving third-party content, in addition to our own; and
• Nurturing and empowering a global network of positive messengers.

The Center will implement its strategy by:

• Seeking out and engaging the best talent, within the technology sector, government and beyond
• Engaging across our government to coordinate, integrate and synchronize counterterrorism communications directed toward foreign audiences;
• Identifying and enabling international partners with credibility and expertise
• Establishing and implementing a campaign-focused culture;
• Scaling up data science and analytics and using both throughout the design, implementation and evaluation phases of these campaigns;
• Providing seed funding and other support to NGOs and media startups focused on countering violent extremist messaging;
• Identifying gaps in U.S. Government messaging and counter- messaging capabilities directed toward foreign audiences, and recommending steps to resolve them; and
• Sharing information and best practices with U.S. Government agencies focused on the challenge of homegrown violent extremism.
• Amplifying the successes of the Counter-ISIL Coalition in defeating ISIL on both the military and information battlefield.
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs*
• Telecommuting is not available for this position*

*Completely fabricated additional content

a reply to: ATSmediaPRO

On the surface, I'm in favour of this and live in the part of the world that the 'other sides' want to destroy. These 'other sides' use propaganda to great effect and, arguably, IS/ISIL/daesh have learned their multi-media tricks from our own long history of bullshi**ing the masses. Wherever they learned it from, it's greatest benefit is stirring up more anti-West hatred and raising the heat of conflict.

If some dedicated fellas want to go counter-propaganda on the enemies, it's cool. Glad to know some teams are intending to crash the party on Twitter, FB or whatever other social media.

We have to be pragmatic here and recognise that whatever part we've (the 'West') played in creating IS/ISIL/daesh, they still represent a threat to our way of life. I don't want anyone I care about to be hacked up on holiday or bombed on a Saturday's shopping.

At the same time, we should be anxious about the propaganda being brought to bear on social media. It puts filters on reality until nobody can tell what's real and what's not. There comes a point where all sides are using propaganda as a proxy for communication and lose sight of their own fuc**ng reality. Do you know what I mean there?

For example, we assume the guys doing the 'counter-disinfo' recognise what disinfo is. We have the idea that 'our guys' are objective and able to see through the lies of the other side. In this age of disinfo, how the hell can we know that our own guys aren't similarly tainted by the propaganda that was sold by the generation that taught them?

If we have to have the cyber-war, if we must have guys out battling ideologies, let's hope that they aren't just propagating more BS or being unwitting agents of propaganda themselves. Why? Because it can only lead to global unrest between sides maintaining lies. Fake reality is an existential risk to the future of humanity.

People always forget that propaganda is an exchange of ideas.

a reply to: greencmp

• Amplifying the successes of the Counter-ISIL Coalition in defeating ISIL on both the military and information battlefield.

I wonder what "safeguards" will be taken to prevent infiltrators?

Unless they (the State Dept) have other ideas in mind.

This could work for 2 purposes.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Seems like we have lots of candidates for positions there, who have been training for years.

"Seems like we have lots of candidates for positions here, who have been training for years"

Sorry couldn't resist, after Bowies death I need a laugh

a reply to: AmericanRealist

I cant help but think something really major going down this year, ie stock market crash, "fatima 3rd secret" major war?

It seems like they are prepping to cover all angles, they will have total control on information, and counter info warfare.

Recent TPP, Bank Bail-Ins and various anti-terrorism legislation, gun control in the USA back in the spotlight, ensuring they get to pick the the cream of everything after the dust has settled as usual.

originally posted by: ATSmediaPRO

The US State department just got serious about combating disinformation on social media with a new Center. The Global Engagment Center is what our Federal Government envision's as a "good idea." Combating disinformation with more disinformation. Sure, what could possible go wrong?

We'll definitely be watching at Disinfo.com

The State department is revamping its counter-extremist communications efforts through a new Global Engagement Center. Michael D. Lumpkin has been appointed as the Director of the new center by the State Department.

Michael D. Lumpkin, a US Navy Seal, was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-intensity Conflict, a Senate confirmed position. Lumpkin’s duties as Assistant Secretary of Defense included: counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, information operations, and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The new Global Engagement Center will focus more on “empowering and enabling partners, governmental and non-governmental, who are able to speak out against these groups and provide an alternative to ISIL’s nihilistic vision.” The Engagement Center will offer services ranging from planning thematic social media campaigns, to providing factual information that counters disinformation, building capacity for third parties to effectively utilize social media, and research and evaluation.

The video from Assad puts the whole thing into context very nicely IMO.

Here's some more?

a reply to: AmericanRealist

Already there.

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: ATSmediaPRO

Honestly, this reads like a very expensive job posting for a professional database developer.

The Global Engagement Center will employ a strategy defined by:

• Drawing upon data and metrics to develop, test, and evaluate themes, messages, and messengers;
• Building narratives around thematic campaigns on the misdeeds of our enemy (e.g., poor governance, abuse of women, narratives of defectors), not the daily news cycle;
• Focusing on driving third-party content, in addition to our own; and
• Nurturing and empowering a global network of positive messengers.

The Center will implement its strategy by:

• Seeking out and engaging the best talent, within the technology sector, government and beyond
• Engaging across our government to coordinate, integrate and synchronize counterterrorism communications directed toward foreign audiences;
• Identifying and enabling international partners with credibility and expertise
• Establishing and implementing a campaign-focused culture;
• Scaling up data science and analytics and using both throughout the design, implementation and evaluation phases of these campaigns;
• Providing seed funding and other support to NGOs and media startups focused on countering violent extremist messaging;
• Identifying gaps in U.S. Government messaging and counter- messaging capabilities directed toward foreign audiences, and recommending steps to resolve them; and
• Sharing information and best practices with U.S. Government agencies focused on the challenge of homegrown violent extremism.
• Amplifying the successes of the Counter-ISIL Coalition in defeating ISIL on both the military and information battlefield.
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs*
• Telecommuting is not available for this position*

*Completely fabricated additional content

Sounds like a job for Goebbels. Did he have any kids?