A recent investigation has revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocated $700,000 to an activist group, purportedly for the creation of propaganda targeting conservatives. The funds were channeled through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Program, intended to combat terrorism, but were allegedly used to pay activists for crafting blog posts critical of Donald Trump and conservatives under the guise of promoting “media literacy.” Public records requests led to the discovery of this appropriation.
The University of Rhode Island’s Media Education Lab, in collaboration with the activist group Media Literacy Now (MLN), emerged as central players in this government-funded campaign. The investigation alleges that the DHS grant facilitated a broader agenda that advocates increased censorship. The same groups were reported to have received payment from the State Department, arranging for German anti-“disinformation” activists to train U.S. school teachers.
The Media Research Center (MRC) contends that this grant underscores the need to abolish all domestic censorship programs. The investigation suggests that the Biden administration, with the DHS grant, has managed to promote a perpetual demand for media literacy in public education, potentially influencing the entire American school system.
The DHS-funded entity, named “Courageous RI,” led by U-RI professor and leftist activist Renee Hobbs, aimed to manipulate public opinion and policymaker sentiment in favor of policies cracking down on “misinformation.” The group’s focus on “media literacy” was deemed essential in Rhode Island, citing the presence of identified hate groups and connections to the January 6 “insurrection.”
The investigation disclosed that the DHS money was utilized to pay individuals for blog posts promoting left-wing policies, raising concerns about the potential misuse of federal grants for lobbying purposes. The posts often strayed from “media literacy,” delving into political opinions, including criticism of the National Rifle Association and Stand Your Ground laws.
The grant also resulted in the formation of “Courageous Community Conversations,” where discussions and events conveyed messages blaming “disinformation” for political shifts and calling for intensified social media censorship. The investigation exposes the intertwining of federal and state law enforcement officials, anti-speech activists, teachers, and Democrat advocacy groups within this initiative.
Despite the purported aim of teaching people to identify propaganda and misinformation, the investigation claims that the grant ultimately incentivized youth to create government-sanctioned messages. A “Statewide Community Creative Media Contest” offered cash prizes for generating public service announcements, backed by local state public safety experts and communication professionals.
The investigation concludes that the DHS-funded program, supported by Courageous RI, cultivated an environment where media literacy and terrorism prevention were embedded in various community programs, influencing educators and students. The findings raise concerns about the potential politicization of media literacy initiatives and their impact on free speech and education.
