This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quietly announced that they will be compiling a database of journalists and “media influencers.” The news was first released in a FedBizOpps.gov post titled “Media Monitoring Services,” which was taken down after news of the listing went viral. (archive)
The DHS has responded critics of their plan shortly after, saying that this is a standard practice, and “Any suggestion otherwise is fit for tin foil hat wearing, black helicopter conspiracy theorists.”
According to the statement, “Services shall provide media comparison tools, design and rebranding tools, communication tools, and the ability to identify top media influencers. DHS agencies have a critical need to incorporate these functions into their programs in order to better reach federal, state, local, tribal, and private partners. The agency is also seeking “contact details and any other information that could be relevant, including publications this influencer writes for, and an overview of the previous coverage published by the media influencer.”
The report said that the DHS will be keeping an eye on at least 290,000 global news sources, and seeking the ability to track media coverage in up to 100 languages as well as the ability to “track online, print, broadcast, cable, radio, trade and industry publications, local sources, national/international outlets, traditional news sources, and social media.”
The statement also indicated that the database would include mainstream media sources as well as bloggers and independent journalists. This is concerning because in times of extreme despotism, silencing the press through prison and execution is an age-old tactic of tyrannical regimes. A database like this would make it extremely easy for them to round up journalists who were oppositional to the establishment.
Oddy enough, the agency will also be closely watching to see if they are mentioned in the news. “Services shall enable [the DHS’s National Protection and Program’s Directorate] to monitor traditional news sources as well as social media, identify any and all media coverage related to the Department of Homeland Security or a particular event. Services shall provide media comparison tools, design and rebranding tools, communication tools, and the ability to identify top media influencers,” the statement said.
According to a 2017 report by the independent research group Freedom House, press freedom in the United States and across the world is at its lowest point in 13 years. The report found that there were “unprecedented threats to journalists and media outlets in major democracies and new moves by authoritarian states to control the media, including beyond their borders.” This is an ominous sign of things come for the media, especially those who question authority.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:
My name is John Vibes and I am an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. I write for numerous alternative media websites, including The Free Thought Project @tftproject and The Mind Unleashed. In addition to my first book, Alchemy of the Timeless Renaissance, I have also co-authored three books with Derrick Broze @dbroze : The Conscious Resistance: Reflections on Anarchy and Spirituality, Finding Freedom in an Age of Confusion and Manifesto of the Free Humans
I just won a 3-year-long battle with cancer, and will be working to help others through my experience, if you wish to contribute to my medical bills, consider subscribing to my podcast on Patreon.
So much for freedom of the press. Not that they are not already controlled, but this is a further threat by government to keep the people uninformed. Again none of this is a shock. They will keep violating natural law until the people see the tyranny and that time is near. Time to get back to community, Time To Disolve the Federal Government!!!
Curated for #informationwar (by @openparadigm)
Relevance: Government Control of the Media
Our Purpose
Given the efforts at censorship, one would think that we are at war.
What are we at war with? Who declared the war and why?
It seems that a select few have figured out how to increase their money stashes with a propaganda war and are forcing the rest of us into it. Apparently, this is acceptable behavior.
Hmmm...As ever the controllers believe that the word "tinfoil hat" negates any spotlight upon their nefarious deeds.
Are any of us in the current information age so easily swayed by the "official line?" especially when it's capacity for being water-tight is as convincing as Watergate.
Once again the neccesity of block-chain, decentralised platforms like the one we inhabit is brought into crystal-clear clarity to all but the most sheeplike.
You used a key phrase which I think sums up the worry felt by those at the top Media influencers the people in question acknowledge that media influencers do exist, they simply believe it should be them, right? After all how could the "plebs" of society of which I have no doubt I am one, dare to influence that which exists only to control?
We are at the heralding of a new dawn or a dark storm...There is a choice to be made by us ALL.
What would George think?
Maybe we should skip straight to the chapter on the "thought police!"
I admire what you do enormously and I think I told you before that although it may sometimes feel like a thankless task, it isn't, the people who are truly supposed to absorb your message are doing just that and don't underestimate the ripples outward from those whom you inform. Many people share the messages and information that they take onboard from you and others who exist only to educate, inform and create a very neccesary change by exposing the media behind the media.
Good job and as ever, thankyou :)
I couldn't have said it any better myself. Keep up the great work John, we are with you!
than you for the kind words..it means alot :-)
I don't buy this news for a moment...
This list was made years ago.
So my local paper was lying about these black helicopters doing military maneuvers without informing the local authorities downtown in my city?
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120802/NEWS/120809847
How much of that 2017 report was produced by Trump deranged individuals?
So how do we know if we have made this list?
Why wouldn't the department of homeland security want to be able to monitor the news?
And so it begins, or should I say continues?
Thanks for the post @johnvibes
Do you perhaps have a list of the best youtube video links that exposes this in all the different fields, economical, scientific, intelligence, governments, etc.
I would like to download it now before it is not possible any longer.
"If you don't think what we tell you to -- you're crazy and we have a right to call you suspect!"
But there are conspiracies, and they do have black helicopters... This is why they need censorship & government targeting of citizen journalists - because their lies are so blatant and obvious they can't counter the truth!
I'm glad you're not afraid to call them out by name. Blessed be.
But they do have black helicopters...
that was what I found funny about his comment
Heard that before...
Hasn't this been going on since Chertoff and the Patriot Act came into focus? ...confirmed by Edwin Snowden? I don't know how Anarchos intend to combat this. Minarchos have a solution....
Title 18, Sec. 241 charges and arrest.
good lookin out! i'm not even slightly surprised by any of this. for those who weren't aware of this stuff until now you are doing a great service Mr. Vibes. Hell Yeah & keep it up:)
So the question is, what are you personally going to do about it? (I have a plan.)
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Yeah, nothing disconcerting about that #sarcasm
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