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propaganda [2022/10/01 13:11]
pamela [Global Disinformation Warriors - "Digital First-Responders"] 		propaganda [2022/12/07 02:26] (current)
pamela
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 ==== Hollywood Propaganda ==== ==== Hollywood Propaganda ====
  
-The film is called [[Theaters of War]] How the Pentagon and CIA Took Hollywood. The Director, Editor, and Narrator is Roger Stahl. The Co-Producers are Matthew Alford, Tom Secker, Sebastian Kaempf. They’ve provided an important public service.+The film is called [[Theaters of War]] How the Pentagon and [[:CIA]] Took Hollywood. The Director, Editor, and Narrator is Roger Stahl. The Co-Producers are Matthew Alford, Tom Secker, Sebastian Kaempf. They’ve provided an important public service.
  
 In the film we see copies of and hear quotations from and analysis of much of what has been uncovered, and learn that thousands of pages exist that nobody has yet seen because the military has refused to produce them. Film producers sign contracts with the US military or CIA. They agree to “weave in key talking points.” While unknown quantities of this sort of thing remain unknown, we do know that nearly 3,000 films and many thousands of TV episodes have been given the Pentagon treatment, and many others have been handled by the CIA. In many film productions, the military effectively becomes a co-producer with veto power, in exchange for allowing the use of military bases, weapons, experts, and troops. The alternative is the denial of those things. ((https://www.activistpost.com/2022/01/the-pentagon-and-cia-have-shaped-thousands-of-hollywood-movies-into-super-effective-propaganda.html)) In the film we see copies of and hear quotations from and analysis of much of what has been uncovered, and learn that thousands of pages exist that nobody has yet seen because the military has refused to produce them. Film producers sign contracts with the US military or CIA. They agree to “weave in key talking points.” While unknown quantities of this sort of thing remain unknown, we do know that nearly 3,000 films and many thousands of TV episodes have been given the Pentagon treatment, and many others have been handled by the CIA. In many film productions, the military effectively becomes a co-producer with veto power, in exchange for allowing the use of military bases, weapons, experts, and troops. The alternative is the denial of those things. ((https://www.activistpost.com/2022/01/the-pentagon-and-cia-have-shaped-thousands-of-hollywood-movies-into-super-effective-propaganda.html))
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-In the center of this move toward global discourse control is an organization called the [[Poynter Institute]], home to the [[International Fact-Checking Network]] (IFCN), a body created to coordinate, promote and train dozens of fact-checkers from around the world.+In the center of this move toward global discourse control is an organization called the [[:Poynter Institute]], home to the [[:International Fact-Checking Network]] (IFCN), a body created to coordinate, promote and train dozens of fact-checkers from around the world.
  
- + :
  
-The [[IFCN]] and many non-profits working in the same field are funded by the big capitalist “philanthropists” of our era, like [[George Soros]], [[Pierre Omidyar]], [[Bill Gates]], and even the [[Koch]] brothers…but also by the US Department of State and a shady “aid” – in reality, political meddling – organization, the [[National Endowment for Democracy]] (NED), historically linked to the [[CIA]] and regime change operations.+The [[:IFCN]] and many non-profits working in the same field are funded by the big capitalist “philanthropists” of our era, like [[:George Soros]], [[Pierre Omidyar]], [[:Bill Gates]], and even the [[Koch]] brothers…but also by the US Department of State and a shady “aid” – in reality, political meddling – organization, the [[:National Endowment for Democracy]] (NED), historically linked to the [[:CIA]] and regime change operations.
  
    
  
-[[Google]] and [[Facebook]] – itself tied to the warmongering [[Atlantic Council]] and its “[[Digital Forensic Research Lab]]” – are also associated with [[Poynter]], by funding and partnerships to fight “fake news” (including the development of an “automated” fact-checking program for the upcoming 2020).+[[:Google]] and [[:Facebook]] – itself tied to the warmongering [[:Atlantic Council]] and its “[[:Digital Forensic Research Lab]]” – are also associated with [[Poynter]], by funding and partnerships to fight “fake news” (including the development of an “automated” fact-checking program for the upcoming 2020).
  
    
  
-The marriage between Poynter’s IFCN, politically inclined billionaires, the State Department – and the whitewashed public face of the Deep State – suggest that the institute is probably working in what Nelson Poynter, its founder, worked on for a key part of his life: propaganda and censorship for the US government...+The marriage between [[:Poynter]]’s IFCN, politically inclined billionaires, the State Department – and the whitewashed public face of the Deep State – suggest that the institute is probably working in what Nelson Poynter, its founder, worked on for a key part of his life: propaganda and censorship for the US government...
  
 Nelson Poynter was recruited by the OWI with his wife Henrietta, who worked as assistant program chief under Elmer Davis, head of the agency. She came up with the name for the “Voice of America”, the famous psychological war operation of the US government. Nelson Poynter was recruited by the OWI with his wife Henrietta, who worked as assistant program chief under Elmer Davis, head of the agency. She came up with the name for the “Voice of America”, the famous psychological war operation of the US government.
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-Unlike his wife’s job, Poynter’s regarded not radio – or his previous line of work, journalism – but movies. In 1942, the OWI’s Bureau of Motion Pictures (BMP) set up office in [[Hollywood]], naming Poynter as its head. His mission was to act as liaison between the agency and the owners of Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM and the other big studio names.((https://web.archive.org/web/20210110210409/https://www.alainet.org/en/articulo/208829))+Unlike his wife’s job, Poynter’s regarded not radio – or his previous line of work, journalism – but movies. In 1942, the OWI’s Bureau of Motion Pictures (BMP) set up office in [[Hollywood]], naming [[:Poynter]] as its head. His mission was to act as liaison between the agency and the owners of [[:Warner Brothers]], [[:Twentieth Century Fox]], MGM and the other big studio names.((https://web.archive.org/web/20210110210409/https://www.alainet.org/en/articulo/208829))
  
 ==== Corporate Funding ==== ==== Corporate Funding ====
  
  
-The two pioneering fact-checking organizations are affiliated with nonprofit groups. Based at the University of Pennsylvania, FactCheck.org was established by the nonprofit Annenberg Public Policy Center. Although it now accepts donations from the public, the private Annenberg Foundation has been its main benefactor, giving the project $87,502,844 since 2004.+The two pioneering fact-checking organizations are affiliated with nonprofit groups. Based at the University of Pennsylvania, FactCheck.org was established by the nonprofit [[:Annenberg Public Policy Center]]. Although it now accepts donations from the public, the private Annenberg Foundation has been its main benefactor, giving the project $87,502,844 since 2004.
  
 Its competitor PolitiFact is a project of the Tampa Bay Times, which is owned by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. According to its IRS filings, in 2014 Poynter had 51 employees, $4.7 million in revenue, a budget of $6.9 million, and $38.2 million in assets. Poynter’s president is Timothy A. Franklin, who joined the organization in 2014 after serving as managing editor of Bloomberg News in Washington, D.C. Its competitor PolitiFact is a project of the Tampa Bay Times, which is owned by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. According to its IRS filings, in 2014 Poynter had 51 employees, $4.7 million in revenue, a budget of $6.9 million, and $38.2 million in assets. Poynter’s president is Timothy A. Franklin, who joined the organization in 2014 after serving as managing editor of Bloomberg News in Washington, D.C.
  
-Major philanthropies funding Poynter include the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation ($7,535,000 since 2003); Ford Foundation ($2,415,000 since 2000); Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation ($2,190,000 since 2009); Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Inc. ($300,000 since 2013); Tides Foundation and Tides Center ($275,053 since 2008); Omidyar Network Fund Inc. ($150,000 since 2013); Carnegie Corp. of New York ($150,000 since 2009); and Annie E. Casey Foundation ($140,000 since 2006). Though FactCheck.org is the granddaddy of such websites, it has been eclipsed recently by PolitiFact in attention from mainstream media outlets, which use the two sites to supplement their reporting. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170501122937/https://capitalresearch.org/article/dishonest-fact-checkers/))+Major philanthropies funding Poynter include the John S. and James L. [[:Knight Foundation]] ($7,535,000 since 2003); Ford Foundation ($2,415,000 since 2000); Robert R. McCormick [[:Tribune Foundation]] ($2,190,000 since 2009); Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Inc. ($300,000 since 2013); Tides Foundation and Tides Center ($275,053 since 2008); Omidyar Network Fund Inc. ($150,000 since 2013); [[:Carnegie Corp. of New York]] ($150,000 since 2009); and Annie E. Casey Foundation ($140,000 since 2006). Though FactCheck.org is the granddaddy of such websites, it has been eclipsed recently by [[:PolitiFact]] in attention from mainstream media outlets, which use the two sites to supplement their reporting. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170501122937/https://capitalresearch.org/article/dishonest-fact-checkers/))
  
 ==== Reuters - Trusted News Initiative ==== ==== Reuters - Trusted News Initiative ====
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 How PR Giant Publicis Promotes Greed, Deception on Behalf of World’s Most Powerful How PR Giant Publicis Promotes Greed, Deception on Behalf of World’s Most Powerful
  
-The vast activities of the [[Publicis Groupe]] demonstrate how the tentacles of greed, profit and privilege connect the catastrophic agendas of the most powerful enterprises on Earth.+The vast activities of the [[:Publicis Groupe]] demonstrate how the tentacles of greed, profit and privilege connect the catastrophic agendas of the most powerful enterprises on Earth.
  
 With headquarters in France, divisions in many countries around the world and decades of global experience in handling people, minimizing crisis and marketing products, the Publicis Groupe continually upgrades its methodologies. With headquarters in France, divisions in many countries around the world and decades of global experience in handling people, minimizing crisis and marketing products, the Publicis Groupe continually upgrades its methodologies.
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 Some of the largest, most prominent clients within these “solution hubs” and “partners” include- Some of the largest, most prominent clients within these “solution hubs” and “partners” include-
  
- The [[World Economic Forum]], proponents of the so-called Great Reset. + The [[:World Economic Forum]], proponents of the so-called Great Reset. 
- The U.S. government, including the General Services Administration, the Department of [[Homeland Security]] and the [[National Institutes of Health]]. + The U.S. government, including the General Services Administration, the Department of [[:Homeland Security]] and the [[:National Institutes of Health]]. 
- [[Phillip Morris]] International, makers of Marlboro cigarettes. + [[:Phillip Morris]] International, makers of Marlboro cigarettes. 
- [[Newsguard]], a media company with intelligence community support, advising news websites on claimed objectivity. + [[:Newsguard]], a media company with intelligence community support, advising news websites on claimed objectivity. 
- [[Center for Countering Digital Hate]] (CCDH), a politically driven service consistently attacking anyone who raises questions about vaccine efficacy or safety. + [[:Center for Countering Digital Hate]] (CCDH), a politically driven service consistently attacking anyone who raises questions about vaccine efficacy or safety. 
- [[Facebook]] and Tik-Tok. + [[:Facebook]] and Tik-Tok. 
- [[PepsiCo]], producer of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay snack foods.+ [[:PepsiCo]], producer of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay snack foods.
  Audi, Mercedes Benz and Toyota, Peugeot, Citroën and the Stellantis Group of automakers, including Fiat, Chrysler, Opel/Vauxhall, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Jeep Dodge.  Audi, Mercedes Benz and Toyota, Peugeot, Citroën and the Stellantis Group of automakers, including Fiat, Chrysler, Opel/Vauxhall, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Jeep Dodge.
- [[Google]]. + [[:Google]]. 
- [[Amazon]]. + [[:Amazon]]. 
- [[Disney]]. + [[:Disney]]. 
- [[CitiBank]], [[Bank of America]], [[Visa]]. [[Microsoft]] Corporation.+ [[:CitiBank]], [[:Bank of America]], [[:Visa]]. [[:Microsoft]] Corporation.
  Saudi Aramco, the government-owned oil company and most profitable business in the world.  Saudi Aramco, the government-owned oil company and most profitable business in the world.
- [[Monsanto]], controversial producer and proponent of GMOs and pesticides,and a subsidiary of [[Bayer]]. + [[:Monsanto]], controversial producer and proponent of GMOs and pesticides,and a subsidiary of [[Bayer]]. 
- [[Walmart]], [[Rite Aid]] and [[CVS Health]] (owners of Target pharmacies), all of which are major sales points for [[COVID vaccines]]. + [:[Walmart]], [[:Rite Aid]] and [[:CVS Health]] (owners of Target pharmacies), all of which are major sales points for [[COVID vaccines]]. 
- [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[Pfizer]] Consumer Healthcare, Abbott, Allergan, [[Merck]], [[AstraZeneca]],        [[Johnson & Johnson]], [[Sanofi]], [[Bayer]], and other pharmaceutical giants, including [[Purdue Pharmaceuticals]], makers of [[Oxycontin]].+ [[:GlaxoSmithKline]], [[:Pfizer]] Consumer Healthcare, Abbott, Allergan, [[:Merck]], [[:AstraZeneca]],        [[Johnson & Johnson]], [[:Sanofi]], [[:Bayer]], and other pharmaceutical giants, including [[::Purdue Pharmaceuticals]], makers of [[Oxycontin]].
          
 Publicis’ third-largest mutual fund holder is [[Vanguard]], an investment giant that provides capital for a broad range of companies, including those producing military weaponry and having poor environmental records. Vanguard is also the largest investor in Big Media and Big Pharma ((https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/pr-giant-publicis-greed-deception/)) Publicis’ third-largest mutual fund holder is [[Vanguard]], an investment giant that provides capital for a broad range of companies, including those producing military weaponry and having poor environmental records. Vanguard is also the largest investor in Big Media and Big Pharma ((https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/pr-giant-publicis-greed-deception/))
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 == The Horrible Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 (SMMA) == == The Horrible Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 (SMMA) ==
  
-I keep forgetting to focus on this un-American act perpetrated on the American people by the US Congress, which is now largely controlled by political Zionists.  Basically, the [[Smith-Mundt]] Modernization Act of 2012 (SMMA) allows the US Government to treat the American people as enemies of the state – just as they would treat a foreign enemy.  Does that help explain why we are having so many problems with government these days?  Let me explain from a layman’s legal perspective what I am referring to here.+I keep forgetting to focus on this un-American act perpetrated on the American people by the US Congress, which is now largely controlled by political Zionists.  Basically, the [[:Smith-Mundt]] Modernization Act of 2012 (SMMA) allows the US Government to treat the American people as enemies of the state – just as they would treat a foreign enemy.  Does that help explain why we are having so many problems with government these days?  Let me explain from a layman’s legal perspective what I am referring to here.
  
 The SMMA started out as H. R. 5736 on May 10, 2012 for the declared purpose “To amend the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to authorize the domestic dissemination of information and material about the United States intended primarily for foreign audiences, and for other purposes.” ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170221003300/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736/text)) The SMMA started out as H. R. 5736 on May 10, 2012 for the declared purpose “To amend the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to authorize the domestic dissemination of information and material about the United States intended primarily for foreign audiences, and for other purposes.” ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170221003300/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736/text))
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-The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, was eventually buried within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (section 1078 (a)), passed into public law, effective on January 2, 2013, and the SMMA portion amended the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1987, allowing for materials produced by the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to be available within the United States. [Emphasis mine]+The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, was eventually buried within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (section 1078 (a)), passed into public law, effective on January 2, 2013, and the SMMA portion amended the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1987, allowing for materials produced by the State Department and the [[:Broadcasting Board of Governors]] (BBG) to be available within the United States. [Emphasis mine]
 ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170221003300/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736/text)) ((https://www.congress.gov/112/plaws/publ239/PLAW-112publ239.pdf)) ((https://web.archive.org/web/20170221003300/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5736/text)) ((https://www.congress.gov/112/plaws/publ239/PLAW-112publ239.pdf))
  
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 == SEC. 208. CLARIFICATION ON DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION OF PROGRAM MATERIAL == == SEC. 208. CLARIFICATION ON DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION OF PROGRAM MATERIAL ==
  
-  * (a) In General- No funds authorized to be appropriated to the [[Department of State]] or the [[Broadcasting Board of Governors]] shall be used to influence public opinion in the United States. This section shall apply only to programs carried out pursuant to the United States [[Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948]] (22 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), the United States [[International Broadcasting Act of 1994]] (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the [[Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act]] (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), and the [[Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act]] (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.). This section shall not prohibit or delay the Department of State or the [[Broadcasting Board of Governors]] from providing information about its operations, policies, programs, or program material, or making such available, to the media, public, or Congress, in accordance with other applicable law.+  * (a) In General- No funds authorized to be appropriated to the [[Department of State]] or the [[:Broadcasting Board of Governors]] shall be used to influence public opinion in the United States. This section shall apply only to programs carried out pursuant to the United States [[:Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948]] (22 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), the United States [[:International Broadcasting Act of 1994]] (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the [[:Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act]] (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), and the [[:Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act]] (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.). This section shall not prohibit or delay the Department of State or the [[:Broadcasting Board of Governors]] from providing information about its operations, policies, programs, or program material, or making such available, to the media, public, or Congress, in accordance with other applicable law.
   *    * 
   * (b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors from engaging in any medium or form of communication, either directly or indirectly, because a United States domestic audience is or may be thereby exposed to program material, or based on a presumption of such exposure.    * (b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors from engaging in any medium or form of communication, either directly or indirectly, because a United States domestic audience is or may be thereby exposed to program material, or based on a presumption of such exposure. 
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 **In stark contrast to early 2021, when a vaccine appointment was coveted** by many and the primary challenge was meeting public demand, vaccination rates across the U.S. have largely plateaued. This pattern is typical of many public health outreach campaigns. An influx of early adopters eager to embrace a product or service causes uptake rates to surge, but soon adoption begins to taper. Not long after that, campaigns run into the most challenging phase; reaching the last few people. **In stark contrast to early 2021, when a vaccine appointment was coveted** by many and the primary challenge was meeting public demand, vaccination rates across the U.S. have largely plateaued. This pattern is typical of many public health outreach campaigns. An influx of early adopters eager to embrace a product or service causes uptake rates to surge, but soon adoption begins to taper. Not long after that, campaigns run into the most challenging phase; reaching the last few people.
  
-Over the last year, [[Civis]] conducted several [[COVID-19 vaccine message tests]] to understand what message themes were most persuasive, and which might backfire. In the spring of 2021, before the Delta variant emerged in the U.S. and when [[vaccine mandates]] had not yet been implemented, we found that messages **highlighting experiences that are off-limits to unvaccinated** individuals (such as concerts or international travel) or emphasizing personal choice were most persuasive. +Over the last year, [[:Civis]] conducted several [[COVID-19 vaccine message tests]] to understand what message themes were most persuasive, and which might backfire. In the spring of 2021, before the Delta variant emerged in the U.S. and when [[vaccine mandates]] had not yet been implemented, we found that messages **highlighting experiences that are off-limits to unvaccinated** individuals (such as concerts or international travel) or emphasizing personal choice were most persuasive. 
   * Personal Story” used a true story posted to social media by an Alabama physician describing unvaccinated patients under her care dying of COVID and begging to be vaccinated.   * Personal Story” used a true story posted to social media by an Alabama physician describing unvaccinated patients under her care dying of COVID and begging to be vaccinated.
   * “Patriotism” positioned the vaccines as an example of American ingenuity, trumpeting vaccination as the ultimate expression of freedom, liberty, and country.    * “Patriotism” positioned the vaccines as an example of American ingenuity, trumpeting vaccination as the ultimate expression of freedom, liberty, and country. 
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 ==== Medical Freedom Activist Smears ==== ==== Medical Freedom Activist Smears ====
 NBC News -January 21, 2022 NBC News -January 21, 2022
-Among the scheduled speakers is Dr. [[Robert Malone]], a virologist who has recently emerged as a new leader of the anti-vaccination movement after appearing on [[Joe Rogan]]’s podcast in December. Malone, who is president of the Pandemic Health Alliance, the organization soliciting donations for the rally, has pushed anti-Covid vaccine talking points, including tweeting a retracted study falsely claiming [[Covid vaccines]] caused a substantial number of deaths. He has instead repeatedly advocated for the use of [[ivermectin]], an anti-parasitic drug that the [[:Food and Drug Administration]] does not consider an effective treatment against Covid.+Among the scheduled speakers is Dr. [[:Robert Malone]], a virologist who has recently emerged as a new leader of the anti-vaccination movement after appearing on [[Joe Rogan]]’s podcast in December. Malone, who is president of the Pandemic Health Alliance, the organization soliciting donations for the rally, has pushed anti-Covid vaccine talking points, including tweeting a retracted study falsely claiming [[Covid vaccines]] caused a substantial number of deaths. He has instead repeatedly advocated for the use of [[:ivermectin]], an anti-parasitic drug that the [[:Food and Drug Administration]] does not consider an effective treatment against Covid.
  
 Anti-vaccine groups on Telegram have also pushed local “Defeat the Mandates” rallies planned for Sunday in several cities, including Denver and Sacramento, California. Some of the events have been amplified on Telegram by members of extremist groups like the [[:Proud Boys]], with one account adding that the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, would feature a “mask burning.” Anti-vaccine groups on Telegram have also pushed local “Defeat the Mandates” rallies planned for Sunday in several cities, including Denver and Sacramento, California. Some of the events have been amplified on Telegram by members of extremist groups like the [[:Proud Boys]], with one account adding that the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, would feature a “mask burning.”
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 Though the event has been mostly marketed as opposing vaccine mandates, organizers on Facebook have been quick to promote their links with anti-vaccine organizations, including [[:Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]]’s Children’s Health Defense fund, with a group of doctors who recommended and prescribed treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine instead of Covid vaccines in the last year. Though the event has been mostly marketed as opposing vaccine mandates, organizers on Facebook have been quick to promote their links with anti-vaccine organizations, including [[:Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]]’s Children’s Health Defense fund, with a group of doctors who recommended and prescribed treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine instead of Covid vaccines in the last year.
  
-Aaron Simpson, a spokesperson for [[:Meta]], the parent company of [[Facebook]], said in an email; “Voicing opposition to government mandates is not against Meta’s policies. What we don’t allow is content that promotes harmful false claims about the vaccines themselves and we remove those posts — including in this group. We continue to focus on promoting vaccination, and the data shows that 86% of Facebook users in the US report having been or wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We’ll continue monitoring our platform and will enforce against any content that violates our policies.”((https://web.archive.org/web/20220123042205/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/organized-facebook-s-anti-vaccine-activists-head-dc-rcna12806))+Aaron Simpson, a spokesperson for [[:Meta]], the parent company of [[:Facebook]], said in an email; “Voicing opposition to government mandates is not against Meta’s policies. What we don’t allow is content that promotes harmful false claims about the vaccines themselves and we remove those posts — including in this group. We continue to focus on promoting vaccination, and the data shows that 86% of Facebook users in the US report having been or wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We’ll continue monitoring our platform and will enforce against any content that violates our policies.”((https://web.archive.org/web/20220123042205/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/organized-facebook-s-anti-vaccine-activists-head-dc-rcna12806))
  
 ==== Denying Natural Immunity ==== ==== Denying Natural Immunity ====
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 Indeed, anti-vaccination groups on Facebook have referenced the idea constantly in recent posts. One widely shared meme lists, “Things that suppress our immune systems: Masks, gloves, no sun, fear, vaccines, washing hands with synthetic soaps.”  Indeed, anti-vaccination groups on Facebook have referenced the idea constantly in recent posts. One widely shared meme lists, “Things that suppress our immune systems: Masks, gloves, no sun, fear, vaccines, washing hands with synthetic soaps.” 
  
-Meanwhile, alternative medicine groups promote the idea that eating the right foods or taking certain vitamins and supplements will strengthen the immune system so that it can successfully fight off coronavirus. “Like any virus, coronavirus is no match for someone with a strong immune system,” writes Sally Fallon Morell on a blog affiliated with the holistic nutrition group the Weston A. Price Foundation. +Meanwhile, alternative medicine groups promote the idea that eating the right foods or taking certain vitamins and supplements will strengthen the immune system so that it can successfully fight off coronavirus. “Like any virus, coronavirus is no match for someone with a strong immune system,” writes Sally Fallon Morell on a blog affiliated with the holistic nutrition group the [[:Weston A. Price Foundation]]. 
  
 Given the holistic community and anti-vaccination groups’ fixations on “[[:natural immunity]],” it’s not surprising that the belief that we can end the pandemic through “herd immunity”—deliberately exposing everyone to the virus until we develop enough immunity that it dies out on its own—has gained traction.  Given the holistic community and anti-vaccination groups’ fixations on “[[:natural immunity]],” it’s not surprising that the belief that we can end the pandemic through “herd immunity”—deliberately exposing everyone to the virus until we develop enough immunity that it dies out on its own—has gained traction. 
  
-Infectious disease experts all agree that the “herd immunity” approach would be catastrophic—millions of Americans would die in the process. It would be one thing if it were just fringe groups promoting this dangerous idea. But there are signs that this dangerous and flawed line of thinking is making its way into the mainstream. Over the past few months, Omer has watched in horror as the musings from armchair epidemiologists have gone viral on social media. He pointed to several influential op-eds—some of them by physicians in fields having nothing to do with infectious disease or epidemiology—promoting the herd immunity approach. In a sprawling March 20 New York Times op-ed, [[:David Katz]], a [[:Yale]] preventive medicine specialist who focuses on diet, wrote that this approach could allow us to “return to life as usual and perhaps prevent vast segments of the economy from collapsing. Healthy children could return to school and healthy adults go back to their jobs.” When Omer read the piece, he was appalled. “These people are putting forth these theories without checking with people whose job this is, who specialize in it,” he told me. “This is not a debate society—there are actual consequences here. People are dying in hospitals alone.”+Infectious disease experts all agree that the “herd immunity” approach would be catastrophic—millions of Americans would die in the process. It would be one thing if it were just fringe groups promoting this dangerous idea. But there are signs that this dangerous and flawed line of thinking is making its way into the mainstream. 
  
-Omer isn’t the only expert concerned that misguided ideas about the immune system will flow from the fringe into the popular imagination. Devin Burghart, vice president of the anti-white-nationalism think tank the [[:Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights]], has been studying the nascent co-mingling between the anti-vaccination community and groups that stage coronavirus shutdown protests. He has noticed that the protest groups have begun to repeat the “natural immunity” talking points, and that both groups have embraced the herd immunity approach. “These people are really gaining a lot of traction, and that is worrisome,” he says. “We worry about these ideas making it into the mainstream.” +Over the past few months, Omer has watched in horror as the musings from armchair epidemiologists have gone viral on social media. He pointed to several influential op-eds—some of them by physicians in fields having nothing to do with infectious disease or epidemiology—promoting the [[:herd immunity]] approach. In a sprawling March 20 New York Times op-ed, [[:David Katz]], a [[:Yale]] preventive medicine specialist who focuses on diet, wrote that this approach could allow us to “return to life as usual and perhaps prevent vast segments of the economy from collapsing.  
 + 
 +Healthy children could return to school and healthy adults go back to their jobs.” When Omer read the piece, he was appalled. “These people are putting forth these theories without checking with people whose job this is, who specialize in it,” he told me. “This is not a debate society—there are actual consequences here. People are dying in hospitals alone.” 
 + 
 +Omer isn’t the only expert concerned that misguided ideas about the immune system will flow from the fringe into the popular imagination. [[:Devin Burghart]], vice president of the anti-white-nationalism think tank the [[:Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights]], has been studying the nascent co-mingling between the anti-vaccination community and groups that stage coronavirus shutdown protests. He has noticed that the protest groups have begun to repeat the “natural immunity” talking points, and that both groups have embraced the herd immunity approach. “These people are really gaining a lot of traction, and that is worrisome,” he says. “We worry about these ideas making it into the mainstream.” 
  
 Omer cautions that if these ideas take hold, they could persist even after the coronavirus pandemic dies down, noting, “Those of us in this field will be cleaning up these messes for years to come.((https://web.archive.org/web/20200513012001/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/05/anti-vaxxers-have-a-dangerous-theory-called-natural-immunity-now-its-going-mainstream/)) Omer cautions that if these ideas take hold, they could persist even after the coronavirus pandemic dies down, noting, “Those of us in this field will be cleaning up these messes for years to come.((https://web.archive.org/web/20200513012001/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/05/anti-vaxxers-have-a-dangerous-theory-called-natural-immunity-now-its-going-mainstream/))
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 But think about that for a moment. Instead of holding those in power to account, Aldhous played lion pouncing on mouse, snatching hold of a tiny nonprofit, and then batting it about for 4,500 words, because this meets his and Buzzfeed’s criteria for reporting. And this guy teaches journalism at UC Santa Cruz to young people entering the profession. But think about that for a moment. Instead of holding those in power to account, Aldhous played lion pouncing on mouse, snatching hold of a tiny nonprofit, and then batting it about for 4,500 words, because this meets his and Buzzfeed’s criteria for reporting. And this guy teaches journalism at UC Santa Cruz to young people entering the profession.
  
-In between laughs, Jonathan Matthews, co-director of an even smaller and equally obscure British nonprofit called GMWatch, told me the article fits a pattern of science writers inverting the role of journalists and attacking anyone daring to question those in power. “It’s exactly the same pattern you find in these other articles of trying to find guilt by association, by suggesting there is another agenda: racism, Trumpism, anti-science. In fact, serious scientists are saying this needs to be investigated properly.”+In between laughs, [[:Jonathan Matthews]], co-director of an even smaller and equally obscure British nonprofit called [[:GMWatch]], told me the article fits a pattern of science writers inverting the role of journalists and attacking anyone daring to question those in power. “It’s exactly the same pattern you find in these other articles of trying to find guilt by association, by suggesting there is another agenda: racism, Trumpism, anti-science. In fact, serious scientists are saying this needs to be investigated properly.”
  
-While most showed a modicum of restraint, Nature Magazine’s Amy Maxmen gave away the goods, tweeting what fellow science writers were implying on social media: White Coat Waste Project is “conservative” and thus a “hate group.”((https://web.archive.org/web/20220510135708/https://disinformationchronicle.substack.com/p/buzzfeed-takes-a-stab-at-journalism?s=r))+While most showed a modicum of restraint, Nature Magazine’s Amy Maxmen gave away the goods, tweeting what fellow science writers were implying on social media: [[:White Coat Waste Project]] **is “conservative” and thus a “hate group**.”((https://web.archive.org/web/20220510135708/https://disinformationchronicle.substack.com/p/buzzfeed-takes-a-stab-at-journalism?s=r))
  
 ==== Lancet Lab Leak Denial & Google Funded Researcher ==== ==== Lancet Lab Leak Denial & Google Funded Researcher ====
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 The unearthed financial ties between [[:EcoHealth Alliance]] and Google follow months of big tech censorship of stories and individuals in support of the COVID-19 “lab leak” theory, especially on Google subsidiaries such as YouTube. The unearthed financial ties between [[:EcoHealth Alliance]] and Google follow months of big tech censorship of stories and individuals in support of the COVID-19 “lab leak” theory, especially on Google subsidiaries such as YouTube.
  
-The Google-backed researcher, Charles Calisher, played a critical role in the cover-up of COVID-19’s origins through his involvement with a February 2020 Lancet statement – which concluded that COVID-19 occurred naturally, in animals.+The Google-backed researcher, [[:Charles Calisher]], played a critical role in the cover-up of COVID-19’s origins through his involvement with a February 2020 Lancet statement – which concluded that COVID-19 occurred naturally, in animals.
  
 The statement was leveraged by politicians, scientists, and the corporate media to silence further discussion over the origins of the virus, and the now-infamous Wuhan laboratory in China... The statement was leveraged by politicians, scientists, and the corporate media to silence further discussion over the origins of the virus, and the now-infamous Wuhan laboratory in China...
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 So how have the authors of this eagerly publicised study come to their conclusion? So how have the authors of this eagerly publicised study come to their conclusion?
  
-It could have something to do with one of the authors serving on advisory boards related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for Seqirus, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sanofi-Pasteur Vaccines.+It could have something to do with one of the authors serving on advisory boards related to [[:SARS-CoV-2 vaccines]] for [[:Seqirus]], [[:Pfizer]], [[:AstraZeneca]] and [[:Sanofi-Pasteur]] Vaccines.
  
-The work they are referring to is not in the normal sense a study but is actually a modelling exercise published by the journal of the Canadian Medical Association. Did the Forbes staff writer read the paper very well? I am quite sure they didn’t. At the end of paragraph one of the Method section of the original paper, it describes their model saying:+The work they are referring to is not in the normal sense a study but is actually a modelling exercise published by the journal of the [[:Canadian Medical Association]]. Did the Forbes staff writer read the paper very well? I am quite sure they didn’t. At the end of paragraph one of the Method section of the original paper, it describes their model saying:
  
 “A vaccine that is 80% efficacious would result in 80% of vaccinated people becoming immune, with the remaining 20% being susceptible to infection. We did not model waning immunity.” “A vaccine that is 80% efficacious would result in 80% of vaccinated people becoming immune, with the remaining 20% being susceptible to infection. We did not model waning immunity.”
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 Conflicts of interest are at work Conflicts of interest are at work
  
-Lo and behold, one of the paper’s authors, David Fisman, declares competing interests: +Lo and behold, one of the paper’s authors, [[:David Fisman]], declares competing interests:“He has served on advisory boards related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for Seqirus, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sanofi-Pasteur Vaccines.…”
- +
-“He has served on advisory boards related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for Seqirus, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sanofi-Pasteur Vaccines.…”+
  
-Another author, Ashleigh Tuite, was employed by the Public Health Agency of Canada when the research was conducted (aka the domain of Justin Trudeau).+Another author, [[:Ashleigh Tuite]], was employed by the Public Health Agency of Canada when the research was conducted (aka the domain of Justin Trudeau).
  
 So why would Forbes publicise this story which prima facie has little relevance to the real-world data of the current pandemic? Forbes magazine is 51% owned by a Hong Kong based company Integrated Whale Investments about which little is known. The Washington Post has suggested that Forbes editorial policy has been influenced as a result, but by whom no one really knows. So why would Forbes publicise this story which prima facie has little relevance to the real-world data of the current pandemic? Forbes magazine is 51% owned by a Hong Kong based company Integrated Whale Investments about which little is known. The Washington Post has suggested that Forbes editorial policy has been influenced as a result, but by whom no one really knows.
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 The cancer industry consists of corporations, organizations, and agencies that diminish or mask the extent of the cancer problem, fail to protect our health, or divert attention away from the importance of finding the causes of breast cancer and working to prevent the disease. This includes drug companies that, in addition to profiting from cancer treatment drugs, sometimes produce toxic chemicals that may be contributing to the high rates of cancer in this country and increasing rates throughout the world.  The cancer industry consists of corporations, organizations, and agencies that diminish or mask the extent of the cancer problem, fail to protect our health, or divert attention away from the importance of finding the causes of breast cancer and working to prevent the disease. This includes drug companies that, in addition to profiting from cancer treatment drugs, sometimes produce toxic chemicals that may be contributing to the high rates of cancer in this country and increasing rates throughout the world. 
  
-It also includes the polluting industries that continue to release substances are known or suspected to be dangerous to our health, and the public relations firms and public agencies that protect these polluters. The cancer industry includes organizations like the [[American Cancer Society]] that downplay the risk of cancer from pesticides and other environmental factors, and that historically have refused to take a stand on environmental regulation.+It also includes the polluting industries that continue to release substances are known or suspected to be dangerous to our health, and the public relations firms and public agencies that protect these polluters. The cancer industry includes organizations like the [[:American Cancer Society]] that downplay the risk of cancer from pesticides and other environmental factors, and that historically have refused to take a stand on environmental regulation.
  
 "Cancer Inc. Sierra Magazine article — “They make the chemicals, they run the treatment centers, and they’re still looking for “the cure” — no wonder they won’t tell you about breast cancer prevention.” "Cancer Inc. Sierra Magazine article — “They make the chemicals, they run the treatment centers, and they’re still looking for “the cure” — no wonder they won’t tell you about breast cancer prevention.”
  
  
-Every October begins the media blitz known as [[National Breast Cancer Awareness Month]] (NBCAM). Pink ribbons abound, and the message you keep hearing is, “Get Your Mammogram!” No mention is ever made in the official [[NBCAM]] materials of the need to find the causes of cancer so that we can prevent it. Not surprisingly, NBCAM was originally created by a drug company — now called [[AstraZeneca]] — that, in addition to producing breast cancer treatment drugs, profited from the sale of an herbicide known to cause cancer. To bring attention to this history and the need to find true cancer prevention, activists reclaimed October and renamed it National Breast Cancer Industry Month. Throughout the month, various campaigns are held to educate the public about the corporate connections to cancer and the need to refocus attention on what needs to be done to stop cancer before it starts. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20220214180732/https://www.bcaction.org/pink-ribbon-marketing-culture/the-cancer-industry/))+Every October begins the media blitz known as [[:National Breast Cancer Awareness Month]] (NBCAM). Pink ribbons abound, and the message you keep hearing is, “Get Your Mammogram!” No mention is ever made in the official [[:NBCAM]] materials of the need to find the causes of cancer so that we can prevent it. Not surprisingly, NBCAM was originally created by a drug company — now called [[AstraZeneca]] — that, in addition to producing breast cancer treatment drugs, profited from the sale of an herbicide known to cause cancer. To bring attention to this history and the need to find true cancer prevention, activists reclaimed October and renamed it National Breast Cancer Industry Month. Throughout the month, various campaigns are held to educate the public about the corporate connections to cancer and the need to refocus attention on what needs to be done to stop cancer before it starts. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20220214180732/https://www.bcaction.org/pink-ribbon-marketing-culture/the-cancer-industry/))
  
 ==== Vaccine Injury Propaganda - Athletes Collapsing ==== ==== Vaccine Injury Propaganda - Athletes Collapsing ====
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 Ryan Matters Ryan Matters
  
-In 1928, Edward Bernays published his famous book, Propaganda, in which he outlined the theories behind his successful “public relations” endeavours. The book provides insights into the phenomenon of crowd psychology and outlines effective methods for manipulating people’s habits and opinions.+In 1928, Edward Bernays published his famous book, [[:Propaganda]], in which he outlined the theories behind his successful “public relations” endeavours. The book provides insights into the phenomenon of crowd psychology and outlines effective methods for manipulating people’s habits and opinions.
  
 For a book that’s almost 100 years old, Propaganda could not be more relevant today. In fact, its relevance is a testament to the unchanging nature of human psychology. For a book that’s almost 100 years old, Propaganda could not be more relevant today. In fact, its relevance is a testament to the unchanging nature of human psychology.
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