CBS’ “60 Minutes” failed to disclose that a prominent “misinformation” researcher it featured on its Sunday show received funding and was working with President Joe Biden’s administration.
Kate Starbird, a professor and researcher at the University of Washington, was featured. program About the “misinformation” that spreads on social media. Starbird led the project, which was led by Biden’s National Science Foundation (NSF). granted In 2021, the researchers were awarded $2.25 million and worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by serving on an advisory board. Committee Although CBS did not mention it, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (Related article: State Department helps fund ‘disinformation’ research group that allegedly blacklisted conservative news sites)
In this segment, viewers were never told that “misinformation researcher” Kate Starbird collects millions of dollars from federal taxpayers to further the government’s censorship mission.
Or that she is a member of a DHS advisory board with the same mission.
They made me think so…
— Vince Coglianese (@VinceCoglianese) March 25, 2024
“What’s interesting is that the people pushing the lie of voter fraud are some of the same people who are trying to discredit the researchers who are trying to understand this problem,” she says. Saidaccording to CBS.
The NSF-funded research will “develop and evaluate ‘rapid response’ methods to investigate and communicate disinformation at a sophistication and pace commensurate with the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of the problem.” said the professor in a press release announcing the NSF. Grant.
This was announced by CISA’s Subcommittee on Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Misinformation and Disinformation, of which Starbird served as a member. Recommendations It submitted a proposal to the Cybersecurity Bureau in June 2022 on how to address information risks to “critical functions” such as public health, the financial system, and elections. The subcommittee recommended that CISA identify “information threats,” work with “governmental” and “nongovernmental” organizations to debunk misinformation and disinformation, and expand related research.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported that the subcommittee collaborated with left-wing research groups and pro-censorship organizations in efforts to quash misinformation.
Starbird donated $750 to Biden’s 2020 campaign and $250 to the Biden Victory Fund. Joint Fundraising Committee; according to Based on Federal Election Commission data.
Academic researchers and government agencies are reevaluating or discontinuing programs funded by the Biden administration to censor online ‘misinformation’ following July trial ruling Washington Post to prevent federal agencies from collaborating with social media companies report During September. Conservatives have accused federal agencies and social media companies of working together to censor right-wing views.
CBS and “60 Minutes” did not immediately respond to DCNF’s requests for comment.
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