Soros poured millions into Big Tech censorship group during midterms
The Philanthropy Organizations of George Soros Pour Millions into Fighting Online Disinformation
The philanthropy organizations of Democratic megadonor George Soros have made significant contributions to a foreign group dedicated to pressuring social media companies to combat “disinformation” and “misinformation” online in 2022, a crucial midterm election year. Financial records reveal that Global Witness, a British charity with an affiliated research arm in Palo Alto, California, received $2.65 million last year from the Foundation to Promote Open Society and Alliance for Open Society International, both part of the Soros-backed Open Society Foundations dark money grantmaking network.
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These cash transfers, which have become public due to the November deadline for nonprofit groups to file their tax forms, highlight how Soros and other left-wing billionaires are providing financial support to “disinformation” trackers who have faced criticism from Republicans in Congress. Lawmakers, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), have intensified their efforts to prevent the United States government from funding organizations accused of censorship. This comes after the release of the Washington Examiner’s “Disinformation Inc.” series and the “Twitter Files,” documents provided by X owner Elon Musk to liberal journalists that shed light on the operations of the company, formerly Twitter, under ex-CEO Jack Dorsey.
“Only the sickest narcissist would direct his wealth to control, silence, and manipulate people who have far smaller bank accounts,” said Dan Schneider, vice president for the Media Research Center’s Free Speech Alliance group. Schneider’s coalition members called on Congress to pass a National Defense Authorization Act provision that would prohibit the Pentagon from funding NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, two state-funded organizations accused of censoring disfavored speech.
The Washington Examiner reported in early 2023 that the Global Disinformation Index covertly blacklists conservative media outlets and has received funds from the State Department, leading to congressional investigations and corporations severing ties with the organization.
“It is one thing to use your financial resources to promote whatever cause you believe in,” Schneider added. “It is an entirely different thing to use your money to rob others of their rights.”
Global Witness has targeted social media companies for not taking action against “outright false” and “misleading” content. The organization has joined the “Global Coalition for Tech Justice” with 149 other groups to demand that large social media companies invest in safeguarding the 2024 elections. The nonprofit group has a “digital threats” tab on its website, which criticizes social media platforms for allowing “xenophobic hate speech in South Africa” and “online hate speech directed at LGBTQI+ communities in Europe.”
The “digital threats” tab also calls out Facebook for allowing “disinformation” to spread before Brazil’s 2022 elections, linking to an article on a Global Witness investigation published in Al Jazeera, which is owned by Qatar, a country that funds Hamas. Global Witness notably partnered with New York University’s Cybersecurity for Democracy initiative for an “election disinformation” study that criticized TikTok for allegedly approving “90 percent of ads featuring misleading and false election disinformation” during the 2022 midterm elections.
In a March article titled “The climate divide: How Facebook’s algorithm amplifies climate disinformation,” Global Witness condemned the “QAnon conspiracy” for its role in the “January 6th Capitol insurrection.” The article called on governments to legislate against the power of Big Tech to shape dangerous and divisive online narratives.
“It comes as no surprise that George Soros-backed groups are pumping millions of dollars into a liberal nonprofit seeking to censor the American people,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Big Tech’s control over online speech remains one of the most egregious forms of election interference, one that continuously silences conservative voices in the name of combating ‘disinformation.'”
“In order to protect election integrity and preserve Americans’ constitutional right to free speech, Congress must investigate the flow of funds influencing these dangerous censorship efforts,” Clyde added.
Global Witness has previously received over $17.8 million from the Open Society Foundations network between 2016 and 2020. The organization declined to comment on the 2022 grants.
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Global Witness spokesperson Dominic Kavakeb referred the Washington Examiner to descriptions on the Open Society Foundations’ website, which stated that $250,000 from the Alliance for Open Society International to Global Witness was allocated “to promote corporate and public accountability in the fossil fuel industry,” while $2.4 million from the Foundation to Promote Open Society was designated for “general support.”
Open Society Foundations spokesman Jonathan Kaplan did not respond to a request for comment.
Why have Republicans criticized the funding provided by these organizations and accused them of censorship in tracking disinformation?
And promoting false information during the 2020 US Presidential election.
According to financial records, the Foundation to Promote Open Society and Alliance for Open Society International have provided a total of $2.65 million to Global Witness. This funding has been used to support the organization’s efforts in pressuring social media companies to combat disinformation and misinformation online, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2022 midterm elections in the US.
The disclosure of these cash transfers has sparked criticism from Republicans, who argue that such organizations involved in tracking disinformation have been accused of censorship. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has been among those leading the charge in preventing government funds from supporting such organizations. The release of the Washington Examiner’s “Disinformation Inc.” series and the “Twitter Files” further exposed the operations of social media platforms and their potential biases.
Dan Schneider, Vice President for the Media Research Center’s Free Speech Alliance, expressed concerns over the use of wealth to control and manipulate people with differing opinions. Schneider’s coalition has called on Congress to pass a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit the Pentagon from funding organizations such as NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, both of which have been accused of censoring dissenting voices.
The Washington Examiner previously reported on the Global Disinformation Index’s covert blacklisting practices targeting conservative media outlets. The organization, which has received funds from the State Department, has faced congressional investigations and severed ties with some corporations as a result.
Schneider emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ rights and criticized the use of financial resources to suppress opposing viewpoints.
Global Witness, on the other hand, has focused its efforts on pressuring social media companies to take action against false and misleading content. The organization has joined forces with the “Global Coalition for Tech Justice” and other groups to advocate for increased investment in safeguarding the integrity of the 2024 elections. Notably, Global Witness maintains a “digital threats” tab on its website, which highlights instances of hate speech and disinformation on social media platforms.
This tab also singles out Facebook, linking to a Global Witness investigation reported in Al Jazeera. It criticizes the platform for allowing disinformation to spread ahead of Brazil’s 2022 elections. It is worth noting that Al Jazeera is owned by Qatar, a country known for its support of Hamas.
Global Witness has collaborated with New York University’s Cybersecurity for Democracy initiative to study election disinformation. The organization has specifically criticized TikTok for allegedly approving and promoting false information during the 2020 US Presidential election.
In conclusion, George Soros’ philanthropic organizations have made multi-million dollar contributions to Global Witness, supporting their efforts in combating disinformation and misinformation online. However, these contributions have come under scrutiny from Republicans who believe that such organizations engage in censorship and manipulation. As the battle against online misinformation continues, it remains critical to strike a balance between combating false information and protecting the right to free speech and diverse opinions.
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