America First Legal (AFL) has released documents obtained through litigation against the U.S. Department of State's Global Engagement Center (GEC). These documents reveal what AFL describes as a government-backed censorship operation aimed at silencing Americans under the labels of "misinformation," "disinformation," and "malinformation." The information points to a collaboration involving the GEC, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office (FCDO), and media organizations.
The GEC was initially established to combat foreign disinformation abroad but was shut down in December 2024. AFL claims that their findings show that the GEC engaged in state-sponsored propaganda with private media organizations' participation. The documents include evidence that USAID created an internal "Disinformation Primer" which supported private sector censorship strategies.
The documents detail how the GEC and USAID worked together to counter COVID-19-related misinformation and other narratives, including those surrounding the 2020 Presidential Elections in Moldova. They communicated with various branches within USAID such as “TF 2020-COVID 19,” “Digital Development,” and others.
Coordination between internet censors NewsGuard Technologies and Poynter is also highlighted. After the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, NewsGuard pitched its services to monitor misinformation using AI technologies. Poynter, meanwhile, is linked with a network of international fact-checkers funded by both Poynter and the GEC.
Additionally, an email from January 8, 2021, shows alleged malinformation shared from U.S. Department of State emails to UK government officials in FCDO.
Andrew Block from America First Legal stated: "The partnership between USAID and the Global Engagement Center is bad news for the American people... Thankfully, the GEC is shuttered and USAID is being exposed — but lawmakers should take note of this example as they consider legislation to ensure the federal government actually serves American principles and interests."
AFL asserts it will continue its efforts against government censorship in defense of free speech.