Secretary of State Marco Rubio Closes R-FIMI Office Amid Accusations of Censorship
Marco Rubio shuts down the R-FIMI office, alleging censorship and waste, igniting debate over free speech and foreign disinformation strategies.
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Rubio asserted in a piece published on The Federalist that the GEC had not actually ended, but was simply re-branded.
Rubio announces closure of State Department effort that 'was supposed to be dead already'
FOX News·2d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The GEC had come under intense criticism from some Republicans who said it was straying from its mission, accusing it of disfavoring opinions by conservative media in particular.
State Dept Closing Office Aimed at Countering Foreign Disinformation
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This closure was, however, a sleight of hand.
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The GEC became the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) office, with the same roster of employees.
Marco Rubio announces end of rebranded Global Engagement Center
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The center has been a frequent target of criticism from conservatives for calling out media and online reports that it said are biased or untruthful.
The State Department closes the office that flags disinformation from Russia, China and Iran
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Summary
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R-FIMI) office, previously the Global Engagement Center (GEC). Rubio criticized it for squandering taxpayer money—over $50 million annually—on canard censorship. The GEC had already shut down in December 2024 under Biden after Congress declined to renew its mandate but rebranded to R-FIMI. Critics, including GOP lawmakers and figures like Elon Musk, argued that GEC was detrimental to free speech, while Democrats contended it was crucial to countering foreign disinformation. The shutdown continues the contentious debate over government influence in media.
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