Covert Censorship and Media Control
Wikileaks exposed that the United States allegedly funneled $472.6 million through Internews Network, a global media non-governmental organization (NGO) suspected of advancing covert censorship and media control.
Internews claims to have “worked with” 4,291 media outlets, producing 4,799 hours of broadcasts in a single year and reaching up to 778 million people globally. The organization also reported training more than 9,000 journalists in 2023 and supporting social media censorship initiatives, according to a series of posts by Wikileaks on X.
USAspending data shows that 87% of the funding, amounting to $415 million, came from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) over the past 17 years, while the U.S. Department of State awarded an additional $57 million during the same period.
Leadership and Influence
Internews is led by Jeanne Bourgault, who reportedly earns an annual salary of $451,000. Bourgault has publicly advocated for global advertising “exclusion lists” aimed at censoring content deemed to be “disinformation.” Critics argue that such efforts amount to subjective censorship, as her criteria for distinguishing “good” and “bad” content remain controversial.
Concerns about Internews’ role in social media censorship have been amplified by claims that Anna Soellner, a director at Internews, also serves as Reddit’s vice president of communications. An X user named Reddit Lies pointed out this potential conflict of interest, fueling debate about the organization’s reach and influence over online discourse.
Ties to George Soros and Clinton Global Initiative
Internews’ historical connections to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations have also drawn scrutiny. In 1994, during the siege of Sarajevo, Internews partnered with Soros to establish the Balkan Media Network, which linked independent media outlets in the former Yugoslavia. Soros has long been associated with efforts that influenced political landscapes worldwide, including the collapse of the Eastern Bloc.
Wikileaks’ revelations also identified key figures linked to Internews, including Richard J. Kessler, a Democratic donor, and Simone Otus Coxe, wife of NVIDIA billionaire Trench Coxe. In 2023, Bourgault launched a $10 million fund at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), supported by Hillary Clinton.
Financial Transparency and Global Operations
Critics have raised concerns over Internews’ financial transparency and structure. The organization reportedly operates six subsidiaries, including one in the Cayman Islands, an offshore financial hub known for opaque financial dealings. Furthermore, its primary billing address is listed as an abandoned building in California, adding to the controversy over its financial management.
Policy Implications
These revelations come amid former President Donald Trump’s freeze on USAID’s budget, citing concerns that its initiatives do not align with his administration’s “America First” policy. A White House statement asserted that USAID’s programs “do not align with American interests” and in some cases “destabilize world peace.”
The funding freeze has sparked concerns among international aid organizations that rely on U.S. government support, raising questions about the future of American-backed media initiatives abroad.
Editor’s Note: NewsBlaze publications support freedom of speech and have never worked with Internews or any fact-checkers or censors. We have been subject to censorship by Facebook, Twitter and fact-checkers in the past. At some point in the near future, we intend to seek FOIA documents to try to determine the people and organizations that were involved in acting with Covert Censorship against us.
