The „Foreign Malign Influence Center“ Replaces the Disinformation Governance Board

Introduction

The US government has announced the creation of a new center to combat foreign disinformation and propaganda. The Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC) will replace the Disinformation Governance Board, which was established in 2016 to coordinate efforts to counter foreign interference in US elections. The FMIC will be housed within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and will be responsible for coordinating the government’s response to foreign influence operations.

What is the FMIC?

The FMIC will be responsible for identifying and analyzing foreign disinformation and propaganda campaigns aimed at influencing US public opinion and policy. It will also work to develop strategies to counter these campaigns and to raise public awareness of the threat posed by foreign influence operations. The center will be staffed by experts from across the intelligence community and will work closely with other government agencies, including the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.

The creation of the FMIC comes amid growing concerns about foreign interference in US elections and other democratic processes. In recent years, Russia has been accused of using social media and other online platforms to spread disinformation and propaganda aimed at influencing the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. Other countries, including China and Iran, have also been accused of engaging in similar activities.

Why was the Disinformation Governance Board replaced?

The decision to replace the Disinformation Governance Board with the FMIC reflects a shift in the government’s approach to countering foreign influence operations. The Disinformation Governance Board was established in the wake of the 2016 election to coordinate efforts to counter Russian interference in US politics. However, critics argued that the board was too slow to respond to emerging threats and that it lacked the authority to take decisive action.

The FMIC is intended to be a more proactive and agile organization, with the authority to take swift action to counter foreign influence operations. The center will be led by a senior official from the ODNI and will have the support of a dedicated staff of experts. It will also have the authority to coordinate the government’s response to foreign influence operations across multiple agencies and to work closely with private sector partners to identify and counter disinformation campaigns.

Conclusion

The creation of the Foreign Malign Influence Center is a significant step in the government’s efforts to counter foreign interference in US elections and other democratic processes. The center will be responsible for identifying and analyzing foreign disinformation and propaganda campaigns, developing strategies to counter these campaigns, and raising public awareness of the threat posed by foreign influence operations. It will also have the authority to coordinate the government’s response to these campaigns across multiple agencies and to work closely with private sector partners to identify and counter disinformation campaigns.

The FMIC represents a shift in the government’s approach to countering foreign influence operations, with a greater emphasis on agility and proactive measures. The center will be staffed by experts from across the intelligence community and will work closely with other government agencies to identify and counter foreign influence operations. While the threat posed by foreign disinformation and propaganda campaigns is significant, the creation of the FMIC is a positive step in the government’s efforts to protect US democracy

Original article Teaser

The Disinformation Governance Board Is Out. The “Foreign Malign Influence Center” Is In.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Disinformation Governance Board met an ignoble demise last year, when it was disbanded within months, amid public criticism and staff-related scandal. Despite being derisively referred to as “the Ministry of Truth” – i.e., a US government’s alleged attempt to create an Orwellian-like institution – it was a fairly safe bet that the strong backlash notwithstanding, the initiative would rear its head again at some point. Soon. Meet the Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC), located at the Office of the Director of US National Intelligence (ODNI). Some sentiment suggest that this might be a Disinformation Governance Board 2 – what with a similar declarative focus on foreign threat, which is then easy to transition, as

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