How the U.S. State Department spends millions of dollars to coordinate Western media and direct investigative journalism against its geopolitical rivals and enemies

 Drew Sullivan, who directs the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), is linked to U. S. State Department funding and influence. Many believe the press is biased, often toward the left, but it is more accurate to describe it as supporting establishment progressive liberalism. Various media outlets display coordinated messaging that reflects similar viewpoints across regions and issues, despite claiming independence.

This raises the question of how so many diverse publications manage to align so closely in their coverage. Critics often cite ownership consolidation and networking among journalists, but these reasons alone do not fully explain the uniformity in messaging. Media systems in Western democracies, while complex, achieve high degrees of coordination, resembling the controlled press of past communist regimes. The idea that journalists are merely expressing typical urbanite opinions does not account for the intricate ways different media outlets support the same political agenda while maintaining the appearance of diversity.

This coordination is not purely due to market forces, as there is demand for varied perspectives that is often unmet. The controlled messaging toward a narrow range of opinions is supported by a mix of non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and other entities that shape public discourse towards specific goals. The OCCRP, founded in 2008, initially aimed to investigate corruption in the Balkans but has grown significantly, being described as the largest investigative journalism organization globally. It has a substantial budget and collaborates with major media outlets.

However, the OCCRP has significant financial ties to the U. S. government, with millions in funding funneled to them from the State Department each year. This raises concerns over the independent nature of their reporting. The OCCRP has claimed that government grants come with safeguards to protect journalistic independence, but the influence of their largest funder remains a point of skepticism.

Investigative reports have revealed how the U. S. government exercises control over the OCCRP, including the ability to veto key personnel appointments. This mechanism allows the U. S. to position itself as a virtuous actor while investigating foreign entities, thereby setting the agenda of corruption narratives. Critics argue that the idea of complete editorial independence is unrealistic and that the structure of media funding positions organizations like OCCRP to act in alignment with U. S. interests.

Recent investigations into OCCRP's U. S. ties have led to significant pushback and censorship of reporting from within the organization. NDR, a German public broadcaster, learned about these extensive ties and ultimately decided to cease collaboration, showcasing the extent of confusion and concern among partners about the true nature of OCCRP’s relationships.

The allegations surrounding Dunn's influence over the press reflect broader issues regarding the extent to which organizations, funded and influenced by the state, shape global media narratives. The intricacies of the system and the connections between various organizations demonstrate a complex web of interests that directs media focus toward particular agendas, effectively acting against geopolitical rivals.

In summary, the U. S. State Department’s support for operations like the OCCRP illustrates how media can be coordinated to serve specific interests, raising critical questions about journalistic integrity and the independence of investigative reporting in the contemporary media landscape.

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