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Institute for Strategic Dialogue

See the videos calling out this organization and references to how they relate to censorship.

Grok on Mike Benz's claims

Question to Grok: What are Mike Benz claims against Institute for Strategic Dialogue wrt any censorship of US citizens

Answer from Grok:

Mike Benz's Claims Against the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) Regarding Censorship of US Citizens

Key Points​

  • Research suggests Mike Benz claims ISD is part of a "censorship industrial complex" censoring US citizens.
  • It seems likely he accuses ISD of working with governments and tech firms to label speech as misinformation.
  • The evidence leans toward Benz criticizing ISD for selective targeting of political groups, funded by intelligence agencies.
  • Controversy exists, as ISD denies these claims, focusing on combating disinformation, while Benz sees it as censorship.

Overview​

Mike Benz, a former State Department official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, has made claims against the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) regarding its alleged role in censoring US citizens. His criticisms center on ISD being part of what he calls the "censorship industrial complex," a network he believes works to control online speech under the guise of combating disinformation.

Detailed Claims​

Benz accuses ISD of being a "British intelligence cut-out" and a "CIA cut-out," suggesting it operates as a proxy for intelligence agencies. He claims ISD selectively targets certain political movements, such as MAGA supporters, while ignoring others, and collaborates with tech companies and governments to enforce censorship by labeling speech as "misinformation" or "hate speech." He also highlights ISD's funding from the US Department of State's Global Engagement Center, which he criticizes for supporting censorship efforts.

Context and Implications​

ISD, a UK-based think tank focused on countering extremism and disinformation, has been involved in monitoring US elections for disinformation, which Benz sees as justification for censorship. While ISD denies these accusations, emphasizing its role in safeguarding democracy, Benz argues that such efforts silence Americans, particularly those with conservative views, and are driven by foreign entities like ISD as much as domestic ones.