H.R.4909 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
I’ve been aware of the National Defense Authorization Act for a while now. It recently came back to my attention thanks to Mike Cernovich and a posting by the dailycaller.com It’s not the NDAA bill itself but rather a portion of the bill which is a bit disconcerting. I refer to the following –
(Sec. 1259C) Establishes a Global Engagement Center to lead and coordinate efforts to track foreign propaganda and disinformation efforts intended to undermine U.S. national security interests, and to develop strategies for countering such campaigns. Authorizes the center to provide grants to support civil society groups, journalists, nongovernmental organizations, federally-funded research and development centers, private companies, or academic institutions in analyzing, reporting on, and refuting foreign disinformation efforts.
Over the past week or two, there has been a new or possible renewed interest in what the statist media is calling “Fake News.” This has been the subject of anyone and everyone with a microphone or who is a media type. Most notably are some rather ironic detractors of this fake news meme, those being Brian Williams and Hillary Clinton. However, I digress. Back to the bill.
The bill began as –
Portman/Murphy Bill Promotes Coordinated Strategy to Defend America, Allies Against Propaganda and Disinformation from Russia, China & Others
Foreign propaganda has morphed into simply propaganda from Russia and their supposed interference and influence over our recent presidential election. Were it not for the ongoing weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth by those in the Democrat and Green Party, this might not even be on anyone’s mind.
The establishment of a Global Engagement Center, by the federal government, to determine what is or isn’t propaganda, on its face reeks of censorship. Of course, there is an entirely other question of just where in our Constitution does the government derive this sort of authority. Currently, this bill has passed the House and it would appear is being forwarded on to the Senate for their consideration.
Given that there are only four more days in the114th Congressional session, it’s possible that the bill will not be considered. We’ll continue to monitor this and report as we find out more.