‘There Is No Need for a Disinformation Governance Board’ – Opinion

An interim report released Monday by the Department of Homeland Security shows that advisers determined the Disinformation Governance Board wasn’t necessary.

It was created by the Biden administration to counter disinformation. However, it was abandoned just three weeks after its creation amid fierce criticism.

DHS’s Disinformation Best Practices and Safeguards Subcommittee said in the report:

“We have now had briefings on the relevant disinformation-related activities of the Department. We are not ready, as of yet, to provide recommendations on the Department’s most effective approach to disinformation threats, including commitments to increase transparency and protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy,”

“However, at this point, we have concluded that there is no need for a Disinformation Governance Board,” they added.

Nina Jankowicz was the leader of the board. She became the target of criticism from Republican legislators and conservatives for her political views as well as her leadership.

“Two months ago, I left DHS. Despite that, I continue to be defamed & threatened based on lies about the work I was hired to do. I’m calling on [Sen. Josh Hawley] & [Sen. Chuck Grassley] to stop amplifying these lies by needlessly attacking me,” Jankowicz tweeted Monday, with a letter attached explaining her grievances in greater detail.

I resigned my position at DHS 2 months ago today. Despite that, I continue to be defamed & threatened based on lies about the work I was hired to do. I’m calling on @HawleyMo & @ChuckGrassleyTo stop amplifying these lies and attacking me needlessly. https://t.co/4fnTIGr5FU (1/5) pic.twitter.com/UA7kl3Kbka

— Nina Jankowicz 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@wiczipedia) July 18, 2022

Conservatives weren’t the only ones who were skeptical about the agency.

“They only have themselves to blame for this firestorm,” Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project told Politico in May. “They announced something with a creepy name and provided no information about the scope or authorities of the board.”