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State Dept

Global Engagement Center​

  • "This is the guy, Rick Stengel, who created the State Dept's Global Engagement Center for global censorship of social media", claimed Mike Benz (X).

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

The following came from Grok: Question: What are Mike Benz claims against State Dept's Global Engagement Center wrt any censorship of US citizens

Mike Benz's Claims Against the State Department's Global Engagement Center Regarding Censorship of US Citizens

Key Points​

  • Research suggests the State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC) may have censored US citizens, especially conservatives, by funding groups accused of blacklisting media.
  • Mike Benz claims the GEC overstepped its foreign disinformation mandate, collaborating with tech firms and NGOs to suppress domestic speech, violating First Amendment rights.
  • The evidence leans toward controversy, with lawsuits and congressional scrutiny, but the State Department denies these allegations, emphasizing an international focus.
  • The GEC closed in December 2024 due to funding cuts, with possible reorganization, keeping the debate alive.

Overview​

Mike Benz, a former State Department official, has accused the GEC of censoring US citizens, particularly conservative voices, by funding organizations like the Global Disinformation Index and NewsGuard to blacklist media outlets. These claims suggest the GEC went beyond its mission to counter foreign propaganda, potentially violating free speech rights.

Benz's Allegations​

Benz alleges the GEC funded domestic censorship operations, worked with tech platforms like X to flag content, and expanded its scope to include US political speech, especially during the 2020 election and COVID-19 debates. He celebrated the GEC's closure in December 2024 as a victory against government overreach.

State Department's Response​

The State Department denies Benz's claims, insisting the GEC focused on foreign disinformation. Despite this, legal challenges and congressional reports have fueled controversy, leading to the GEC's shutdown.