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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 35 martyrs, 75 injured in occupation targeting of civilians seeking food aid in Rafah, Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Da Silva: What is happening in Gaza is not a war, it is a genocide
Da Silva: Even the Jewish people do not want this war; it is revenge by a government against the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state
Brazilian President Lula da Silva: What we are seeing is not a war between two armies. [What we have is a] completely professional army that is killing women and children in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We affirm our readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention
Hamas: We welcome the continued Qatari and Egyptian efforts to end the war waged by the Zionist occupation against our people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces blew up Noura Al-Kaabi Hospital, designated for kidney dialysis patients, in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets a car on the Ayta al-Shaab-Debel road in southern Lebanon
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The remaining airlines that have not yet complied with the ban are urged to take this into serious consideration to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The YAF, after successfully imposing a partial ban on air traffic at Lydd Airport, are now working to impose a full ban on air traffic at the aforementioned airport in the coming period

Declassified: UK media fail to mention ties to government

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Declassified UK
  • 6 Apr 2023 16:15
3 Min Read

The UK media reportedly references government-linked and funded private groups while dubbing them "independent" revealed Declassified UK.

  • x
  • A pile of Evening Standard newspapers on a pavement in London. The freesheet is experimenting with home delivery as commuters stay at home. (Reuters)
    A pile of Evening Standard newspapers on a pavement in London. The freesheet is experimenting with home delivery as commuters stay at home. (Reuters)

Declassified UK has revealed that private groups that are directly funded by the UK government and directed by people linked to the UK or US foreign policy establishment have been routinely quoted by British media in an attempt to counter Russians, as well as other disinformation. However, these outlets have regularly failed at mentioning that these groups are government-linked or funded.

Since January 2018, private "counter-disinformation" organizations have received over £25 million from the UK government. Significantly, among the many groups, four have been linked to the UK or US foreign policy establishment. 

Read more: New Nord Stream reports part of disinformation campaign: Kremlin

While publishing information, Declassified UK explained, most UK outlets label these private firms as "independent" or “non-government” sources and have thereby obscured the "financial trail which leads to Whitehall." In doing so, these outlets have misinformed the public of the UK government's role in "shaping coverage of global events" which included the war in Ukraine. 

To add salt to injury, the UK government has declined to divulge any information, according to Declassified UK, outlining the full reach of its links to the "counter-disinformation" industry.

One example: DFRLab-funded

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Different nations, different truths: How AI shapes global views: FP

AI threatens press freedom: UN warns of growing dangers to journalists

The Atlantic Council Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), Declassified UK revealed, has funded one counter-disinformation group. In turn, DFRLab received at least £6.7 million from the Foreign Office since 2018.

Moreover, a number of other "generous funders" have also pitched into the sustainability and growth of that counter-disinformation group, which included the United Arab Emirates, Goldman Sachs, Facebook, and the US Departments of State and Defence, the report highlighted.

With that information being revealed, the DFRLab deceitfully proclaims that its mission has been to “identify, expose, and explain disinformation where and when it occurs using open source research.” To push one's buttons, the DFRLab regularly published research claiming that main adversaries, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have been "engaged in malign information activities worldwide."

Declassified UK identified 25 Guardian and Observer articles making reference to the DFRLab, however, none of them mention any of DFRLab's financial ties to the governments of both, the UK and the US.

Rather, the DFRLab is commonly referred to as a "Washington, DC-based" organization, a "US thinktank," a "US research group," a "non-profit that monitors and combats online disinformation," or an "independent digital forensic research lab."

In February 2022, the Whitehall established the Government Information Cell (GIC) under the pretense that it will serve “to support the UK’s response to Russian disinformation relating to their invasion of Ukraine,” according to the report and claimed that a cross-government team “of professionals in assessment and analysis, counter-disinformation, and strategic communication” which is funded through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Leo Docherty, recently told parliament: “It would not be appropriate to comment on funding levels publicly as to do so would give malign actors insight into our capabilities”.

Read more: Former US 'Minister of Truth' now foreign agent in UK

  • Disinformation
  • Misinformation
  • UK

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