No10 announced plans overnight to form a new quango – the “National Centre for Information Defence” – to regulate “narratives” about Britain. This is ostensibly because Russia interferes in online discourse…
The quango will counter any “distorted and untrue narrative about Britain” and “ensure the UK has the defensive capability necessary to combat information warfare and build national resilience.” Burnham’s justification:
“There is no national security without a strong, cohesive society. That’s the starting point for everything we hold dear and everything we want to achieve. But the fact is that it has been under attack. In recent years we have seen an industrial-scale assault by hostile actors on the information environment in the UK and many of our allies.
Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people’s fears. They’ve used bots and fake websites. Falsified newspaper articles.
Forged the branding of 28 British organisations – including universities and the BBC. They’ve amplified far right narratives. And we have evidence that they tried to interfere with the 2019 General Election.
We also know that they have tried to stoke tensions and unrest in the wake of horrific events. The idea that anyone would try to use such things to their advantage is just repulsive – but it is what they do.”
Britain already goes further than most in shutting down content on the internet according to a wide variety of criteria. The latest vehicle to do so is the Online Safety Act…
The government says the unit will work with intelligence agencies, the police, and social media companies to focus on “improving local community cohesion.” 1984 is here…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…