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leveymg

(36,418 posts)
40. $300 mil. doesn't cover the budget of a single U.S. State Dept "public diplomacy" program
Thu Dec 17, 2015, 02:20 PM
Dec 2015

Last edited Fri Dec 18, 2015, 01:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Not like the Russians are the only ones or the biggest spenders on propaganda in the world. In fact, if that figure quoted is remotely accurate, it wouldn't cover one US Government agency program that sponsors Syrian opposition propaganda and "nonlethal aid."

The term is "public diplomacy" or "perception management" not "trolling." It isn't just a game played by the Russians.

Most US global perception management comes from the State Department, its contractors and foreign program beneficiaries, since USIA was folded into State Public Diplomacy and Public Affiars in 1999. http://www.publicdiplomacycouncil.org/commentaries/11-11-15/murphy-and-kuehl-national-information-strategy-i-%E2%80%93-introduction

During the Cold War, the two note, “USIA was to act as the agency responsible for achieving strategic cognitive information effects globally in support of U.S. strategy and policy.” Currently, however, “no single executive government agency is in charge of the information instrument of national power overall.” Looking beyond connectivity, they see inadequate attention to “content” and its linkages with “cognitive effects” (might we say “influence”?).

USIA was folded into the Department of State in 1999, so the Public Diplomacy cone has succeeded to this national imperative. I’m not aware that any other branch of government has claimed it.


The State Department runs what it classifies as $330 million in "non-lethal assistance" to the Syrian opposition. The Department describes the media component of that as follows:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232266.htm
Home » Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs » Bureau of Public Affairs » Bureau of Public Affairs: Office of Press Relations » Press Releases » Press Releases: 2014 » Press Releases: September 2014 » Syrian Crisis: U.S. Assistance and Support for the Transition
Syrian Crisis: U.S. Assistance and Support for the Transition

Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 29, 2014

U.S. non-lethal assistance includes training and equipment to build the capacity of a network of more than 3,000 grassroots activists, including women and youth, from more than 400 opposition councils and organizations from around the country to link Syrian citizens with the national- and local-level Syrian opposition. This support enhances the linkages between Syrian activists, human rights organizations, and independent media outlets and empowers women leaders to play a more active role in transition planning.

Support to independent media includes assistance to both television and radio stations; mentoring from Arab media experts to broadcast professionals inside Syria; training for networks of citizen journalists, bloggers, and cyber-activists to support their documentation and dissemination of information on developments in Syria; and technical assistance and equipment to enhance the information and communications security of Syrian activists within Syria. U.S. technical and financial assistance is also supporting the Coalition’s outreach to Syrians through the internet, local, independent radio stations, and satellite television.

An example of a program funded through State to achieve "strategic cognitive information effects" is as follows: https://consortiumnews.com/2014/12/25/selling-peace-groups-on-us-led-wars/

Syrian dissidents received funding from the Los Angeles-based Democracy Council, which ran a Syria-related program called the “Civil Society Strengthening Initiative” funded with $6.3 million from the State Department. The program is described as “a discrete collaborative effort between the Democracy Council and local partners” to produce, among other things, “various broadcast concepts.”

James Prince, the founder and President of the Democracy Council, is also an adviser to CyberDissidents.org , a project created in 2008 by the Jerusalem-based Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies, founded and funded by Sheldon Adelson, a patron and confidant of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Other resources include postings on social media and alternative websites with sensational stories such as the anti-Assad activist “Gay Girl in Damascus” who turned out to be a middle-aged American man in Scotland or Syrian Danny Abdul Dayem, who was frequently interviewed using fake gun fire and flames in his interviews.

The ones that claim RT is a legitimate news site crack me up. hobbit709 Dec 2015 #1
$300 mil. doesn't cover the budget of a single U.S. State Dept "public diplomacy" program leveymg Dec 2015 #40
Defending RT? sigh...And Thom Hartmann being on RT pisses me off, he is randys1 Dec 2015 #101
No, just pointing out that the USG is also in the business of spreading lies. Our lies cost more leveymg Dec 2015 #120
Ugh randys1 Dec 2015 #122
Try realism. It's not so bad. leveymg Dec 2015 #130
Thank you leveymg Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #140
well said. Thanks. n/t wildbilln864 Dec 2015 #148
+300 million Excellent post nationalize the fed Dec 2015 #176
But Cracked magazine is OK.....???? CanSocDem Dec 2015 #2
Haha! Good point! nt elias49 Dec 2015 #3
Is Cracked owned by a government? DetlefK Dec 2015 #4
Quality guidelines for contributors to Cracked... MattSh Dec 2015 #13
Look it up yourself: DetlefK Dec 2015 #178
Well, I'm assuming the NYTimes has similarly high "standards" for their content... MattSh Dec 2015 #180
I'll take Cracked over Russian state propaganda any day. nt appal_jack Dec 2015 #5
How do you feel about American state propaganda? FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #20
They aren't state propaganda outlets. kwassa Dec 2015 #22
But they are owned by the people 1%ers who own our jwirr Dec 2015 #27
They are publicly held corporations. kwassa Dec 2015 #31
Then explain why they are all selling us the goods all the jwirr Dec 2015 #32
As to Bernie Sanders, I'm afraid it's far simpler. Archae Dec 2015 #55
You've got to be joking. cui bono Dec 2015 #164
You're misunderstanding me. Archae Dec 2015 #170
He would be a ratings grabber if they would put him on the air. cui bono Dec 2015 #171
I know that, you know that, and a lot of people here know that. Archae Dec 2015 #173
Sure thing. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2015 #56
You are mixing up a number of different things. kwassa Dec 2015 #62
If you think that makes it more likely you'll get the truth... MattSh Dec 2015 #41
No, it is not delusional. kwassa Dec 2015 #59
+1 cui bono Dec 2015 #165
that's the funniest thing I've read today Facility Inspector Dec 2015 #118
I'm glad your amused. Now, if you have a rebuttal ... kwassa Dec 2015 #143
Arguably VoA, though they make a point of running stories critical of USG Recursion Dec 2015 #181
Not much impressed by them either. nt appal_jack Dec 2015 #82
One is state owned and operated by Putin bootlickers. sufrommich Dec 2015 #6
But the ones owned corporations that hate informed citizens... MattSh Dec 2015 #10
You say all of that as if saying it means something. It doesn't. stevenleser Dec 2015 #23
The most effective propaganda speaks truth, it is said by apparent experts. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #25
How many do you want? nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #30
As many as you can find... MattSh Dec 2015 #35
Without breaking a sweat... stevenleser Dec 2015 #44
This only confirms my feeling that it's propaganda on both sides starroute Dec 2015 #96
. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #142
Stopfake.org... Seriously? MattSh Dec 2015 #179
And there is the several RT hosts who quit in disgust at the lies they were asked to peddle stevenleser Dec 2015 #51
A. you are my hero today. B. can you BELIEVE you have to have this conversation randys1 Dec 2015 #103
It is ridiculous that I have to have this conversation, but Orwell summed it up nicely in his notes stevenleser Dec 2015 #117
Makes sense. I like the way you said you even criticized Obama FROM THE LEFT randys1 Dec 2015 #119
We are lucky that our reporters pscot Dec 2015 #151
A merely rhetorical response? Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #39
See #44 above and again, without breaking a sweat, there are hundreds more. nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #45
Well, without breaking a sweat, Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #58
You have one link to back you up, all of my stuff is sourced. stevenleser Dec 2015 #64
My rapid analysis & opinion on your 'evidence', yes. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #69
which doesnt mean anything. I have links backing me up, you don't. nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #80
... Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #86
Nyet--not weak--I'm with Steve. Your argument fails to convince. nt MADem Dec 2015 #135
I have a friend who is a journalist who would join you in this thread and DEMOLISH these randys1 Dec 2015 #104
Please point out where stevenleser's material, above, Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #145
BTW, the "dubious link" is to the "about us" page at the site you refer to. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #149
That's true... MattSh Dec 2015 #37
Where did you get those statistics, Steve? FoxNews? 97-99% of MSM reporting "Completely accurate"? leveymg Dec 2015 #43
Since you support Bernie and Bernie appears on Fox, I guess you will be endorsing Hillary. stevenleser Dec 2015 #46
But, he isn't paid by Fox, is he? You would know the answer to that, wouldn't you, Steven. leveymg Dec 2015 #52
Neither am I, Bernie and I are both guests when we appear. So again, anything you say against me stevenleser Dec 2015 #54
You appear on Fox for free! Just for the sake of "fair and balanced", I suppose? leveymg Dec 2015 #57
Same reason Bernie does. nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #63
That was an interesting "damned if you, damned if you don't" exchange. Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #68
Ridicule is for being on Fox, regularly, and not just as the subject of an interview. leveymg Dec 2015 #72
Your comments. Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #73
What don't you believe, that he's on the NewsCorp Masthead as a "Fox News Insider"? leveymg Dec 2015 #75
You get put on "Fox News insider" if a segment is considered a good one. The "Insider" stevenleser Dec 2015 #76
And keeps making assertions about things she/he doesn't know about. stevenleser Dec 2015 #78
It is strange and sad. Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #87
Yep. And he supports someone who goes on Fox for President. As I said in my last comment below stevenleser Dec 2015 #91
The folks who criticize me for appearing on Fox always have this kind of pretzel logic in their stevenleser Dec 2015 #83
Fox is blocked by me on my TV so I have never seen you. The first thing that came up when randys1 Dec 2015 #106
Of course, I forgot. Bernie Sanders is on the masthead of Fox News as a Contributor. Just like you. leveymg Dec 2015 #71
Except I'm not a contributor.Contributor is a specific term in television that means a paid employee stevenleser Dec 2015 #77
It ain't me who should be ashamed to be on this thread and board. n/t leveymg Dec 2015 #84
You should be ashamed. DU has always been about logic, knowledge and sources. You are on the wrong stevenleser Dec 2015 #85
Like Fox News is about Balance and Fairness, Steve? Don't answer that. leveymg Dec 2015 #89
You support someone who goes on there for President. You have nothing to say to me. nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #90
Bernie is a politician who speaks to all. What is your purpose that you think you are so important? ViseGrip Dec 2015 #105
Surely you must have watched him when he is on Fox? To make that kind of statement? randys1 Dec 2015 #108
You notice you never see specific criticisms of what I say on Fox. stevenleser Dec 2015 #113
A guy has to make a living. If they paid me to talk to them, I would, I wouldnt watch it randys1 Dec 2015 #116
What is your purpose that you think YOU are so important? Nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #110
Excuse me Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #147
Who do you think YOU are? Nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #150
Mere rhetoric, again? Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #154
If you don't like that kind of rhetoric, don't use it. stevenleser Dec 2015 #155
You're right. I apologise. Let's drop the personal, Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #158
ALERTER'S COMMENTS MisterP Dec 2015 #175
Well done, DU. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #177
What's wrong with Leser going on Fox? He's a pundit, so? cui bono Dec 2015 #167
But they can be accurate and still not tell the truth. cui bono Dec 2015 #166
When I was growing up, Cracked Magazine was.... Blus4u Dec 2015 #33
Uh yes, I cant believe what site I am on, this CANT be DU randys1 Dec 2015 #102
You should have been here when Hannah Bell and her various incarnations were stevenleser Dec 2015 #156
But we absorb torrents of American propaganda without thinking starroute Dec 2015 #7
No counterbalance required FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #21
See my #23 above. Care to take me up on that 100 articles at random test? nt stevenleser Dec 2015 #24
I don't see any #23 -- did you delete it? starroute Dec 2015 #36
You've probably got one of the folks upthread on ignore. Here is the upshot... stevenleser Dec 2015 #88
That's why I question anything Thom Hartmann has to say. MohRokTah Dec 2015 #8
Thank you. (nt) NurseJackie Dec 2015 #16
NO, dont say thank you, please, seriously. It makes me mad as hell Thom is on there randys1 Dec 2015 #111
I can't stand listening to him. Maybe it's just me ... NurseJackie Dec 2015 #124
Not true at all. If it is then I'm sure you can provide examples of how he "sold out" and cui bono Dec 2015 #168
That's the equivilant of saying anyone citing CBC or BBC should question everything from the source tech3149 Dec 2015 #9
They should. jeff47 Dec 2015 #12
Agreed. Question everything. jwirr Dec 2015 #28
Definitely. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #60
I avoid RT like the plague. But U.S. news sources are no better. Tell me... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #11
LBN. KamaAina Dec 2015 #42
No better? So Rachel Maddow and RT are the same? randys1 Dec 2015 #112
Censorship is un-Democratic. Octafish Dec 2015 #14
What a hilarious thread FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #18
Archae uses DU as his personal Twitter. Octafish Dec 2015 #95
Ha Ha Ha! Exactly! "Pure propaganda complaining about propaganda." Agony Dec 2015 #137
Ain't that the truth... cui bono Dec 2015 #169
so is Putin. zappaman Dec 2015 #67
What would Frank Zappa think? Octafish Dec 2015 #93
Maybe he would recognize RT for the propaganda outlet it is? zappaman Dec 2015 #99
Frank was a prick. randys1 Dec 2015 #115
Frank Zappa, Syria Mosque 11/06/74 leveymg Dec 2015 #132
On the other hand Frank would have ~loved~ Hillary Fumesucker Dec 2015 #138
Certainly would recoginize it as a propaganda outlet. Octafish Dec 2015 #121
Wow, just insult after insult, eh? zappaman Dec 2015 #123
I'm not your friend. Octafish Dec 2015 #125
I'm sorry you're having a bad day. zappaman Dec 2015 #126
''It's shameful. You nailed it.'' Octafish Dec 2015 #128
I hope you get out of your funk and have a great holiday, my friend! zappaman Dec 2015 #129
Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? Octafish Dec 2015 #131
Have a great holiday! zappaman Dec 2015 #133
There's the real zappaman of DU. Octafish Dec 2015 #136
Oh, really? Tell me something I don't know. randome Dec 2015 #15
Statists always fear and denigrate the words that they feel FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #17
With a certain regard, Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #153
RT is a great sourse to analyze the direction of Putins propoganda. NCTraveler Dec 2015 #19
Please explain what you see as 'shady' about Russia's, RT's and RT's readers' 'agenda(s)'? Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #26
If you read my post you would see I think it is valuable to read. NCTraveler Dec 2015 #34
Yes, agreed. All information is valuable Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #48
This is just painful to read. NCTraveler Dec 2015 #53
President Putin is the top-level (& not the only) elected representative Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #61
Does the incorporated US MSM Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #157
Agreed. It is like reading our State Department news releases or White House releases. pampango Dec 2015 #47
Oh, shit. All the guys with acoustic guitars, busted. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #29
So RT, which "is watched now by over 50 million US households" is now propaganda? zappaman Dec 2015 #38
Did you actually read the article? Archae Dec 2015 #49
Why do you hate Putin? zappaman Dec 2015 #65
"watched by over 50 million" was the propaganda muriel_volestrangler Dec 2015 #70
Ok, thanks, that UK data is of interest: Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #97
'Freeview' is a digital terrestial broadcast system, free to everyone muriel_volestrangler Dec 2015 #98
Ok. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #159
THAT card is always well played. Number23 Dec 2015 #174
I won't click or retweet any of the stuff they spew..... Historic NY Dec 2015 #50
You would not pay any attention to Putin's annual parliamentary address & Q&A? Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #66
"Crickets" Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #160
i used to listen to some shortwave radio.....pre internet days dembotoz Dec 2015 #74
I quite trusting RT when they posted all those lies about WMDs in Iraq TheSarcastinator Dec 2015 #79
. FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #107
I believe it. The west does the same thing LittleBlue Dec 2015 #81
.....but the West!!! sagat Dec 2015 #92
They've switched to "Sputnik News" now, and hoped you wouldn't notice. Tarheel_Dem Dec 2015 #94
You know this propaganda is not limited to RT nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #100
It goes both ways Matrosov Dec 2015 #109
It is really simple, even though it might not win any friends...RT is owned by a dictator Rex Dec 2015 #114
And that is the point nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #134
Thanks I will look into it. Rex Dec 2015 #141
It is a disturbing book nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #163
. Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #161
I guess that means that the quake in South America was a lie then. Happy to find that out. LiberalArkie Dec 2015 #127
RT is wholly owned and operated by the Russian government steve2470 Dec 2015 #139
I just saw a documentary about Oklahoma earthquakes on RT. Manifestor_of_Light Dec 2015 #182
I am told that FlatBaroque Dec 2015 #184
Go west uppityperson Dec 2015 #144
Young man zappaman Dec 2015 #146
I tried that, for a loooong time (trusting a woman). Ghost Dog Dec 2015 #162
and: wildbilln864 Dec 2015 #152
RT is passé... SidDithers Dec 2015 #172
This message was self-deleted by its author Oneironaut Dec 2015 #183
+1000 Blue_Tires Dec 2015 #185
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