A recent database was launched by liber-net detailing U. S. government funding directed towards initiatives combating misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM). This summary highlights the findings regarding the distribution of funds, key recipient organizations, and notable trends in MDM funding from 2016 to 2024.
1. Database Launch:
Liber-net has created a comprehensive database showcasing U. S. government awards aimed at countering MDM and content control.
2. Funding Overview:
The analysis includes data from 867 awards, revealing that the majority were allocated to U. S. -based initiatives. One significant contract to military contractor Peraton amounted to nearly $1 billion, while non-military U. S. recipients received around $318 million, with the next highest recipient being Kazakhstan at $20 million.
3. Federal Budget Insights:
Out of roughly $1. 5 billion spent on these initiatives, about $187 million was distributed outside the U. S. The narrative that U. S. taxpayers are subsidizing foreign entities is not strongly supported by this data.
4. Unique Awards Distribution:
The U. S. organizations received 220 of the 867 unique awards, indicating their central role in receiving funding for MDM countermeasures.
5. Geographical Focus:
Central and Eastern Europe, along with the Baltic states, were primary focuses for funding, largely in response to perceived Russian influence.
6. Miscellaneous Awards:
Some funds were allocated to "Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees," where organizations remain unnamed for various reasons, including security.
7. Funding Topics:
The funding was used for a variety of topics, frequently combining initiatives like vaccine misinformation targeting minority communities.
8. Types of Activities Funded:
Awards were classified by activities such as conferences, research, and technology development. These classifications provided insights into what counter-misinformation work entails.
9. Top Recipients:
The top recipients include well-known organizations, with a notable $80 million award to the CDC Foundation, which was essentially a transfer within linked entities.
10. Data Access:
The complete data set, including geographical breakdowns and categorized funding topics, is available for public review through the liber-net database.
The U. S. government has invested significantly in combating MDM through a variety of initiatives, with a clear emphasis on domestic organizations and a focus on mitigating foreign influence, especially in certain regions. The liber-net database serves as a valuable resource for examining the specifics of these funding efforts.
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