Leader of conservative blacklist group hired to teach ‘disinformation economics’ class.
The Economics of Disinformation: A One-Day Course
The head of a State Department-backed think tank, currently under congressional investigation for its alleged role in starving conservative media of advertising dollars, is set to teach a one-day course on the “economics of disinformation.” CEO Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), a London group with two affiliated American nonprofit organizations, will be the trainer for this online class scheduled for September.
The module is being offered by a little-known project composed of “fact-checkers and academic researchers” who are dedicated to combating online disinformation. This project received significant funding of $4.3 million in 2022 from an agency under the European Union. The course aims to educate stakeholders working to tackle disinformation, including journalists, policy-makers, and researchers.
Controversy Surrounding GDI
GDI has faced criticism from Republicans in Congress for its alleged covert operation of feeding blacklists of right-leaning websites to advertisers, with the intention of suppressing disfavored speech. Lawmakers, such as House Oversight Chairman James Comer, have demanded answers from the State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy, a nonprofit group that heavily funds GDI. The British think tank received approximately $960,000 in combined funding from these sources between 2020 and 2022.
Despite the controversy, GDI continues to operate and has attracted attention for its “dynamic exclusion list,” which contains websites deemed to be “high risk for disinformation.” While the list has not been publicly released, leaked data obtained by the Washington Examiner revealed that major right-leaning publications were being blacklisted by advertisers subscribed to GDI’s list.
The Role of GDI in the “Economics of Disinformation”
The upcoming training module by Clare Melford aims to shed light on how GDI creates independent risk signals about online news content. These signals are then used by technology companies that employ algorithms to determine which content is presented to users. The module also explores why advertisers choose not to place their ads on polarizing content on the internet.
It remains uncertain whether Melford will disclose non-public information about GDI’s “dynamic exclusion list” during the course. However, the partnership between GDI and ad-verification company Integral Ad Science, recently signed by Elon Musk’s X, has raised concerns among critics who argue that it amplifies the coercive powers targeting free speech.
The Controversial Funding and Mission of the European Digital Media Observatory
The European Digital Media Observatory, based in Florence, Italy, is supported by an EU agency responsible for developing policies to make Europe fit for the digital age. The observatory has published numerous reports on alleged disinformation, particularly related to COVID-19. Its mission includes addressing the spreading of misinformation and harmful information online.
However, critics argue that efforts like GDI and the observatory contribute to a growing censorship industrial complex that aims to police free speech and protect special interests. They question the government’s role in funding such censorship initiatives.
As news of the upcoming training module spreads, questions remain about GDI’s operations and the impact of its actions on free speech. The Washington Examiner has reached out to GDI and the European Digital Media Observatory for comment, but they have not responded.
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