FOIA Files: How Feds, Press, and Academia 'Coordinate' on Speech - LewRockwell

Recent Freedom of Information Act disclosures challenge earlier claims by the Center for an Informed Public that it operates independently of the Department of Homeland Security. Evidence reveals that key figures within the Election Integrity Partnership, such as Matthew Masterson, maintained close professional ties with CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This connection suggests the partnership was not merely a civilian advisory group but functioned in intimate coordination with federal government entities during critical electoral periods. The communications indicate that CISA and social media platforms engaged in robust, pre-planned coordination to manage election integrity issues. Rather than offering occasional tips, these interactions involved deep collaboration aimed at anticipating and neutralizing efforts to undermine democratic processes. This level of integration implies that private organizations partnered with the state to execute shared narratives, blurring the lines between official government action and civil society advocacy. This revelation is vital for open data initiatives because it underscores the necessity of scrutinizing the sources and affiliations behind publicly available digital forensic research. When data originates from partnerships involving government agencies, transparency requires clear disclosure of these underlying power dynamics. Understanding whether "non-government" entities are effectively acting as government cut-outs is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that the open data ecosystem remains truly independent and accountable.

Source: lewrockwell.com
Published on 2024-08-13