America Defends Itself on the Internet

[Harold Schiffman]

America Defends Itself on the Internet – Kommersant: "A briefing was
held in Washington on Tuesday on 'U.S. Public Diplomacy and the War of
Ideas.' Under Secretary of State James Glassman spoke about the work
of 'digital outreach teams' that will work to improve the image of the
United States and fight extremist propaganda on the Internet. Those
teams may begin activity on the Russian-language segment of the
Internet. They were set up a few years ago to combat myths and
disinformation on Arabic-language blogs and 'talk about American
policy, correct mistakes that are being made, and refer people back to
factual documents' . … The digital teams work in Arabic, Farsi and
Urdu now, but Glassman said the hiring of Russian-language specialists
is under consideration. Russian officials have not officially reacted
to that possibility. Russian bloggers are discussing it very actively,
however."

US starts the "war of ideas" on Russian Internet - axinia,
1000petals…Open a new petal every day!: "And now they are focusing on
Russia. After the terror-suspected Arabic, Persian, and Urdu-speaking
nations, US Department of State has officially launched the 'war of
ideas' on Russian Internet. … extremism. How does it exactly work? The
members of the Digital Outreach Team enter into digital conversations
online either on other people's blogs or other websites. Apparently
they identify themselves as working for the United States Government
and they are participating in the conversation. (I wonder if they will
always do that!?). Russian bloggers notice that the 'agents' not
merely discuss the American policy, but express their keen interest in
the bloggers themselves, their connections, their mood… Basically
being very 'caring guys.'"

http://publicdiplomacypressandblogreview.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-31.html
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