The Global Engagement Center (GEC), a foreign disinformation center under the State Department, has closed its doors this week due to a lack of funding. Established in 2016, the GEC was criticized by conservatives, including Elon Musk, for censorship and media manipulation. Its funding was stripped as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, leading to its termination by law on December 23, 2024.
The GEC had a budget of approximately $61 million and 120 staff members. Lawmakers initially included funding for the GEC in a continuing resolution bill, but it was later rewritten without money for the agency. Republicans argued that the private sector already offers similar disinformation analysis, questioning the value of the GEC's work.
During the pandemic, the GEC faced scrutiny for its involvement in flagging social media accounts as 'Russian personas and proxies' based on certain criteria. The agency also funded subcontractors and faced accusations of censorship and blacklisting.
The GEC, which collaborated with various government agencies, including the FBI and CIA, also funded the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab. Despite criticisms, the DFRLab director emphasized that their grants had an international focus.
A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with other conservative media outlets, accused the GEC of engaging in censorship and violating the First Amendment. The lawsuit alleged that the GEC branded certain news organizations as 'unreliable' or 'risky,' impacting their advertising revenue and circulation.
Additionally, revelations by America First Legal highlighted that the GEC used taxpayer dollars to create a video game called 'Cat Park' aimed at combating disinformation. Critics argued that the game promoted certain political beliefs rather than protecting Americans from foreign propaganda.
In conclusion, the closure of the Global Engagement Center marks the end of a controversial chapter in U.S. government efforts to counter disinformation, sparking debates about censorship, funding priorities, and the role of public agencies in combating misinformation.
