Biden Administration’s Massive Spending on "Misinformation" Research Raises Free Speech Concerns
A recent report by Open the Books, a government watchdog organization, has revealed a dramatic increase in federal spending on "misinformation" research under the Biden administration compared to the Trump administration. Since 2021, the Biden-Harris White House has allocated at least $267 million to research grants and contracts related to "misinformation" or "disinformation," a staggering 3,800% increase from the $6.72 million spent during the first Trump term. This massive surge in funding raises significant concerns about potential threats to civil liberties and free speech, particularly online, where a large portion of the administration’s efforts are focused. Critics argue that the government should not be involved in the fact-checking industry or in any efforts to restrict citizens’ speech, especially when taxpayer money is being used to fund these initiatives.
Taxpayer-Funded Orwellian Surveillance and Propaganda Strategies?
Beyond the sheer cost, the nature of these "misinformation" programs raises even more serious alarms. Open the Books’ investigation, further corroborated by independent verification, uncovered disturbing details suggesting that the Biden administration has used these funds to support Orwellian surveillance and propaganda strategies, develop tools to restrict online speech, and even finance politically motivated reports critical of former President Trump. One example is a $2.3 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the University of Pennsylvania for research on COVID-19 "misinformation" among Black and rural communities. This project seemingly involves collecting and analyzing vast amounts of social media data, purportedly to combat misinformation, a term often used to justify silencing dissenting voices questioning government or institutional narratives. Similar COVID-19 misinformation projects have been funded at other universities, including the University of Texas and Michigan State University.
While health misinformation can indeed be harmful, critics argue that the Biden administration and these universities lack the authority and credibility to address this issue, given their own history of spreading misinformation during the pandemic. For instance, the administration enforced mask mandates on public transportation and federal workers long after evidence showed their ineffectiveness. The University of Pennsylvania itself imposed strict mask mandates and published research supporting their efficacy, which was later contradicted by more comprehensive studies. The grant to the University of Pennsylvania, slated to continue until 2027, further exemplifies the ongoing commitment to these potentially flawed research initiatives.
Department of Homeland Security’s Involvement Raises Further Concerns
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also become involved in these efforts, hiring a defense contractor, Guidehouse, for "misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation analysis." The $1.2 million contract with Guidehouse, which helps public and private clients combat alleged online misinformation, raises concerns about potential government overreach. Guidehouse’s "six-step approach" includes configuring tools to monitor the information landscape and creating "counter-messages." This raises the specter of government agencies using these capabilities to manipulate public discourse and suppress dissenting viewpoints, potentially echoing previous instances of government pressure on social media companies to censor information damaging to political figures.
Funding Politically Charged Research Targeting Trump Administration
Adding to the controversy, the Biden administration has even funded partisan research targeting former President Trump. The National Science Foundation (NSF) granted nearly $200,000 to George Washington University for a study on "Pandemic Communication in Time of Populism," focusing on how "populist" leaders supposedly hindered societal solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research specifically targeted Trump’s presidency, alongside leaders of other countries, and recommended giving academics and government officials more control over future public health crises. This raises concerns about using taxpayer money to fund research that appears politically motivated and aimed at discrediting political opponents.
A Threat to Free Speech?
Critics argue that these actions are incompatible with a government that respects free speech. Spending hundreds of millions of dollars to research, combat, and potentially restrict citizens’ speech raises serious questions about the administration’s commitment to fundamental freedoms. Former President Trump has pledged to defend free speech, and dismantling these controversial "misinformation" programs would be a significant step in that direction. The extent to which these programs represent a genuine effort to combat harmful misinformation or a thinly veiled attempt to control narratives and suppress dissent remains a point of intense debate. The significant increase in funding under the Biden administration, coupled with the questionable nature of some of the funded projects, underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in this area.
The Future of Free Speech Online
The intersection of government funding, "misinformation" research, and online content moderation presents complex challenges for the future of free speech online. Striking a balance between protecting the public from harmful misinformation and safeguarding fundamental freedoms is crucial. The debate over the Biden administration’s approach highlights the need for a broader public discussion on the role of government in regulating online speech and the potential implications for democratic values.