Secretary of State Marco Rubio Closes R-FIMI Office Amid Accusations of Censorship
Marco Rubio shuts down the R-FIMI office, alleging censorship and waste, igniting debate over free speech and foreign disinformation strategies.
Marco Rubio announces end of rebranded Global Engagement Center
The Post Millennial
Summary
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) office, previously the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Rubio criticized it for squandering taxpayer money—over $50 million annually—on canard censorship. The GEC had already shut down in December 2024 under Biden after Congress declined to renew its mandate but rebranded to R-FIMI. Critics, including GOP lawmakers and figures like Elon Musk, argued that GEC was detrimental to free speech, while Democrats contended it was crucial to countering foreign disinformation. The shutdown continues the contentious debate over government influence in media.
Sources (9)
- The closure of the Global Engagement Center (GEC) is framed as a victory for free speech, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming it was previously involved in silencing conservative voices and limiting free expression in the U.S.
- Rubio alleges that GEC's rebranding to the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) was a deceptive tactic by the Biden administration to continue censorship practices under a new name, despite Congress sunseting its funding.
- Critics assert that GEC abused its mandate to counter foreign misinformation by instead targeting domestic media outlets, violating the First Amendment and contributing to efforts to deplatform certain conservative publications.
Infowars·1M· No analysis available for this article
FOX News·1M· "…Rubio asserted in a piece published on The Federalist that the GEC had not actually ended, but was simply re-branded."
Newsmax·1M· "…The GEC had come under intense criticism from some Republicans who said it was straying from its mission, accusing it of disfavoring opinions by conservative media in particular."
Newsmax·1M· "…The GEC had come under intense criticism from some Republicans who said it was straying from its mission, accusing it of disfavoring opinions by conservative media in particular."
Newsmax·1M· "…The GEC had come under intense criticism from some Republicans who said it was straying from its mission, accusing it of disfavoring opinions by conservative media in particular."
Daily Signal·1M· No analysis available for this article
The Blaze·1M· "…This closure was, however, a sleight of hand."
The Post Millennial·1M· "…The GEC became the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) office, with the same roster of employees."
Boston Herald·1M· "…The center has been a frequent target of criticism from conservatives for calling out media and online reports that it said are biased or untruthful."
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