The USAID gave roughly $473 million to the “Internews Network,” a secretive global non-governmental organization that allegedly supported online censorship efforts, according to documents released by WikiLeaks.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) gave roughly $473 million to a “secretive” nonprofit organization that supported efforts to censor social media users, according to documents released by WikiLeaks.
Recent reporting by journalists Sayer Ji, Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag, and Lee Fang have linked USAID funding to the smearing and censoring of U.S. and global independent journalists and media platforms.
As the Trump administration began reorganizing and cutting major funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), revelations emerged that the organization financed groups, including some media outlets, engaged in smear campaigns and censorship against dissident voices.
In interviews this month with CNBC and CNET, Bill Gates said we “should have free speech” but not “if you’re inciting violence, if you’re causing people not to take vaccines.” Critics accused Gates of protecting his investments in pharma.
Bill Gates took a shot at free speech, the First Amendment, and everyone who questions vaccines and vaccine safety in a CNBC interview earlier this month.
“They’re trying to build a control grid and they’re building it in different steps,” Catherine Austin Fitts, founder and publisher of “The Solari Report,” told viewers of “Financial Rebellion” on an episode of “Good Morning, CHD.”
Tony Blackburn says he has been sacked by the BBC over his evidence to a sex abuse review.
The veteran DJ has pledged to take legal action against the corporation, which he claims is making him a “scapegoat” for the “cover-up” of abuse of an under-age girl.
His shock departure comes ahead of the publication on Thursday of a report into the BBC’s culture and practices during the years Jimmy Savile and fellow shamed presenter Stuart Hall worked at the corporation by former Court of Appeal judge Dame Janet Smith.
The presenter, 73, claims that “all relationships” he had with the BBC were “terminated with immediate effect” this week because his evidence to the review over an investigation in 1971 contradicts the BBC’s version of events in relation to an allegation of assault by the mother of a 15 year old who later took her own life.
He says he was never interviewed over the incident, but claims the BBC says he was interviewed twice.
Here is his statement in full:
“This week, two days before the publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report, the BBC informed me that all relationships I had with them were being terminated with immediate effect.
“I am told that the decision was taken, personally, by the Director General. Quite naturally, I am devastated. The reasons for the BBC taking this decision are that my evidence to Dame Janet Smith shows, I believe, that a cover-up took place – one that I had no knowledge of. This goes against what the BBC believe.”
“In 1971 allegations were made by the mother of a 15-year-old girl whose diary apparently contained suggestions that she had been seduced by celebrities including me. I am told that the mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that her daughter had withdrawn the allegation against me.
“I have never seen the diary and neither has anyone at the BBC or the Dame Janet review. That same year this seemingly troubled teenager tragically took her own life.
“Dame Janet’s report makes no suggestion that I was guilty 45 years ago of any misconduct whatsoever with this girl. Nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death.”
“The BBC have made clear that they are not terminating my relationship with them because of any misconduct. They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs.
“I was not guilty of any inappropriate conduct; my lawyers will take immediate action against anyone suggesting that I was. According to BBC records seen by Dame Janet, I was allegedly interviewed about the girl’s diary before her death in 1971 by a very senior figure at the BBC, Bill Cotton Jr.
“I was also, supposedly, interviewed by Brian Neill QC as part of his report into the Payola scandal at the BBC. I have repeatedly told Dame Janet and the BBC I was never interviewed by either man in this context and the BBC records are either very vague or have, conveniently, disappeared.”
“Regardless of these facts, the BBC is axing me after five decades of broadcasting. Sadly what is happening to me now seems to be entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover-up.
“In 1967, I proudly opened Radio 1 for the BBC. Over the past 49 years I have enjoyed my time working for them immensely and I am grateful to my millions of listeners for their continued support over the decades.”
“Sadly, despite being aware of my evidence for many months, if not years, the BBC have decided to make me a scapegoat and have taken away any future opportunity I have to broadcast for them. Naturally, I am now left with no choice but to take legal action against the BBC.
“They have taken away a career I love and I will not allow them to destroy my reputation.”
Tony Blackburn’s broadcasting colleagues have spoken out to defend the star after he was sacked from the BBC.
The veteran DJ revealed last night how he was in talks with lawyers as he planned legal action against over the loss of contracts worth £200,000 a year.
Writing on Twitter, journalist Piers Morgan said: “Few nicer guys in show-business than @tonyblackburn. BBC treatment of him after 50yrs of brilliant broadcasting is outrageous.”
Presenter Eamonn Holmes referred to Jeremy Clarkson yesterday settling a racial discrimination and personal injury lawsuit brought by a former Top Gear producer.
He wrote on Twitter: “So @tonyblackburn MIGHT have and is taken off air. @JeremyClarkson DID Assault & Racism – his progs continue to be shown on the BBC. ?????”
Radio personality Tony this morning thanked fans and broadcasting colleagues after an “overwhelming” level of support.
He said: “Good morning,I just want to say thanks so much for your overwhelming support it means a lot to me. xxx
“I won’t be tweeting too much but I must say a big thanks for all the support from my fellow broadcasters, it is very kind of you.”
Sources close to the veteran DJ said he was the victim of a “real stitch-up”.
Presenter Danny Wallace wrote on Twitter: “I know @tonyblackburn, and as far as I can tell, every bone in his body is decent.”
Broadcaster Iain Lee wrote: “@tonyblackburn is one of the most decent and kind people I have ever met. Ever.”
LBC presenter Iain Dale added: “Sometimes the BBC disgusts me. They have sacked broadcasting legend @tonyblackburn from all his shows. Shame on them “
A new report backs the BBC’s claim that he was quizzed over a woman’s allegations.
But Blackburn said the interviews in 1971 never took place and he plans to sue the BBC.
Lawyers will be looking at taking action over “wrongful termination of contracts” and a libel law expert may be lined up to examine all aspects of the allegations.
In his statement, Blackburn, 73, said: “I am now left with no choice but to take legal action against the BBC. They have taken away a career I love and I will not allow them to destroy my reputation.”
Corporation bosses are alleged to have failed to properly interview the DJ after he was accused of a sexual encounter with Top of the Pops dancer Claire McAlpine.
The claims will be made public today in Dame Janet Smith’s review of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Blackburn last night issued an extraordinary statement which said: “This week, two days before the publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report, the BBC informed me that all relationships I had with them were being terminated with immediate effect.
“I am told that the decision was taken, personally, by the Director General. Quite naturally, I am devastated.
“The reasons for the BBC taking this decision are that my evidence to Dame Janet Smith shows, I believe, that a cover up took place – one that I had no knowledge of. This goes against what the BBC believe.”
He goes on: “Dame Janet’s report makes no suggestion that I was guilty 45 years ago of any misconduct whatsoever with this girl. Nor did a coroner’s inquest into her death or a subsequent police inquiry.
“The BBC have made clear that they are not terminating my relationship with them because of any misconduct.
“They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs.
“I was not guilty of any inappropriate conduct; my lawyers will take immediate action against anyone suggesting I was.”
And in a swipe at bosses, he added: “Sadly what is happening to me seems to be entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover-up.
“In 1967, I proudly opened Radio 1 for the BBC. Over the past 49 years I have enjoyed my time working for them immensely and I am grateful to my millions of listeners for their continued support over the decades.
“Sadly, despite being aware of my evidence for many months, if not years, the BBC have decided to make me a scapegoat and have taken away any future opportunity I have to broadcast for them.
“Naturally, I am now left with no choice but to take legal action against the BBC.
“They have taken away a career I love and I will not allow them to destroy my reputation.”
Earlier this week the Director of the World Health Organization Dr. Margaret Chan declared that the ongoing Zika outbreak was a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern.’ This was a significant move by the international body as it is the fourth time that the declaration has been made since such a designation was formally defined as a response to a public health crisis by the WHO in 2005, with the most recent one being for the Ebola outbreak. Continue reading Are genetically engineered mosquitoes realistic solution to Zika?→
The Loud Cry 